Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Shocks Vanderbilt to Reach Elite Eight; Hannah Hidalgo Sets NCAA Steals Record

Notre Dame’s women’s basketball team pulled off a gritty 67-64 upset over No. 2 seed Vanderbilt on Friday night, breaking through the Sweet 16 barrier for the first time since 2019. The Irish were led by Hannah Hidalgo, whose defensive prowess made history and her all-around game dominated down the stretch.

Sweet 16 Breakthrough for Notre Dame

In a tense matchup at the Fort Worth regional, Notre Dame finally shed its Sweet 16 struggles, edging Vanderbilt 67-64 to advance to the Elite Eight. The Irish have been knocking on the door for years, but this win marked their first Sweet 16 victory in five consecutive appearances. It’s the farthest the program has reached since finishing as NCAA runner-up in 2018-19.

Both teams battled hard, with Notre Dame building a 12-point lead early before Vanderbilt clawed back. But the Irish’s relentless defense and key plays in crunch time made the difference. They forced 23 turnovers and held the Commodores to just 35% shooting, despite struggling from three-point range themselves, going 1-for-17 beyond the arc.

Notre Dame showed real grit late in the fourth quarter. With the score tied at 64, Hannah Hidalgo found Cassandre Prosper wide open for a layup with just 22 seconds left. Prosper finished with 15 points, including crucial baskets down the stretch. Hidalgo then secured the rebound on Vanderbilt’s final attempt to seal the win.

Hannah Hidalgo: Defensive Star and Offensive Force

Hidalgo’s performance was nothing short of historic. She recorded a triple-double with 31 points, 11 rebounds, 10 steals, and added seven assists.

Her defensive work was particularly eye-catching—she set a new NCAA single-season steals record during the first quarter against Vanderbilt, grabbing her 193rd steal and surpassing the previous mark set by Lamar's Chastadie Barrs in 2019.

Hidalgo’s steals do more than fill the stat sheet—they spark Notre Dame’s fast breaks and throw off their opponents. She reads passes well and pressures ball handlers, making her one of the best defenders in college basketball. She already holds more steals after three seasons than Barrs did in her entire four-year career.

While Hidalgo’s offensive game has improved since her freshman year, when she averaged 22.6 points, her defense remains her calling card. She earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors as a freshman and has only sharpened those skills since.

Looking Ahead: Elite Eight and Beyond

Now, Notre Dame waits to see if they’ll face top seed Connecticut or fourth-seeded North Carolina in Sunday’s Elite Eight showdown. Regardless of the opponent, the Irish will be underdogs. But if their performance against Vanderbilt is any indication, they thrive in that role.

This win might mark a turning point for the program. Breaking through the Sweet 16 barrier could be the spark Notre Dame needs to regain national prominence and contend for a championship again.

With Hidalgo leading on defense and offense, the Irish could make a deep run in the tournament. Her pursuit of the NCAA career steals record adds an intriguing subplot as Notre Dame pushes forward.

Notre Dame’s upset over Vanderbilt ended a Sweet 16 drought and showcased the extraordinary talents of Hannah Hidalgo, whose record-setting defensive effort and clutch play have the Irish poised for a deep tournament run.