PITTSBURGH – The Pitt women’s basketball team is set to resume its season following the holiday break, facing off against No. 18 Notre Dame on Monday evening. The game will tip off at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana, at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live on the ACC Network.
Pitt enters this matchup with a record of 7-7, including a 0-1 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Panthers are looking to bounce back after suffering a defeat to Duquesne, falling 84-69 in the City Game on the Bluff before the holiday break. In that contest, Mikayla Johnson stood out, scoring a season-high 23 points while contributing five rebounds, two assists, and two steals over 40 minutes of play. Additionally, Amiya Jenkins matched her season-high with 11 points off the bench, and Theresa Hagans Jr. added 14 points along with a team-high four assists and three steals. Lauren Rust had a strong performance on the boards, leading the team with eight rebounds.
As the two teams prepare to meet for the 42nd time, Notre Dame holds a commanding 37-4 advantage in the series history, and Pitt has yet to secure a road victory against the Fighting Irish. The last time the Panthers triumphed over Notre Dame was on March 4, 2020, during the first round of the ACC Tournament, where they won 67-65 on a neutral court.
The Fighting Irish, boasting a record of 9-2 this season, have been formidable at home with a perfect 7-0 record. They are led by Hannah Hidalgo, the reigning ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Hidalgo is currently averaging 25.1 points per game, ranking third in Division I, alongside averages of 6.4 rebounds, 6.1 steals—leading the country—and 5.1 assists per game. Cassandre Prosper and Vanessa de Jesus also play key roles for the team, averaging 16.2 points and 10.5 points per game, respectively.
As Pitt looks to improve their performance and make a statement against a ranked opponent, fans are hopeful for an inspiring and competitive matchup that could help turn their season around.