Hannah Hidalgo, a guard for the Notre Dame women’s basketball team, delivered an extraordinary performance on Wednesday night, scoring 44 points and logging 16 steals in a commanding 85-58 victory over Akron. This remarkable feat not only set a new program record for points scored in a game but also established an NCAA record for the most steals by any player, male or female, in a single game.
“Defense first. Defense wins championships,” Hidalgo stated after the match. She emphasized her role in energizing her team defensively, which allowed them to capitalize on transition opportunities and score effectively.
The previous record for steals in women’s NCAA basketball was 14, held by Old Dominion’s Ticha Penicheiro since 1998 and matched by Georgia Tech’s Jill Ingram in 2008. For the men, the record is 13, achieved by Mookie Blaylock of Oklahoma in 1987 and again in 1988. Hidalgo’s stellar performance has now rewritten the history books for both men’s and women’s collegiate basketball.
Before Hidalgo’s achievement, the record for scoring at Notre Dame was 41 points, set by Ruth Riley in 1999 and matched by Jewell Loyd in 2014. Loyd is now a notable star in the WNBA with the Las Vegas Aces, while Riley played a crucial role in leading the Irish to a national championship in 2001.
In her record-setting performance, Hidalgo also contributed nine rebounds and four assists, shooting an impressive 64% from the field through 28 minutes of play. “I want to be consistent in doing that, so I know I got to bring it defensively,” she explained, reflecting her commitment to both personal accountability and team success.
Despite the personal accolades, Hidalgo remained humble, attributing her success to her teammates and expressing her love for the team. “I wouldn’t want to do (it) with anyone else,” she said. Her teammates proudly acknowledged her achievement, with Cass Prosper celebrating Hidalgo’s success by playfully spraying her with water as she entered the locker room.
This historic achievement is not only a testament to Hidalgo’s talent but also highlights the promising future for the Fighting Irish as they look to build upon this momentum in the season. The camaraderie and support evident among the players suggest a strong team dynamic that could lead to more exciting victories ahead.