Notre Dame Dominates James Madison in Convincing Win

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, Hannah Hidalgo scored 24 points while Kate Koval contributed 14 points, 16 rebounds, and six blocks as No. 6 Notre Dame defeated James Madison with a resounding score of 92-46 on Wednesday evening.


Beyond her scoring prowess, Hidalgo also recorded six rebounds and four steals, showcasing her ability to impact the game on both ends of the court. Her relentless defensive play was pivotal in establishing a 25-2 advantage in fastbreak points for the Fighting Irish (3-0).


Koval, a promising 6-foot-5 freshman, played a significant role in the paint, helping Notre Dame establish dominance with a 44-20 lead in points scored within the key. The Irish also excelled on the boards, out-rebounding their opponents by a margin of 54-43.


Aside from Hidalgo and Koval, Olivia Miles netted 16 points, while both Liatu King and Cassandre Prosper added 11 points each to the scoreboard. However, King’s evening was cut short after a challenging fall in the fourth quarter during a tussle for the ball under the basket.


On the opposing side, James Madison (3-1) saw a solid performance from Kseniia Kozlova, who managed to secure 14 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort.

Key Takeaways

For Notre Dame, the game highlighted their strong defensive capabilities, but there remains room for improvement in their long-range shooting as they prepare for tough upcoming matches against Southern Cal, Texas, and Connecticut.


Conversely, James Madison faced challenges on offense, particularly against a taller and more skilled Notre Dame squad. Nonetheless, their defensive effort earns them recognition as a leading contender in the Sun Belt Conference this season.

Defining Moment

A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Hidalgo drained a three-pointer after forcing a steal, pushing Notre Dame’s lead to 30-17 and breaking a shooting slump where they had missed their previous five attempts from beyond the arc.

Crucial Stat

Notre Dame’s defensive prowess was on full display as they blocked nine shots throughout the game, holding James Madison to just 21.7% shooting accuracy, making only 15 of their 69 attempts.

Upcoming Matches

Looking ahead, the Fighting Irish will travel to face Lafayette on Sunday, while the Dukes will host Gardner-Webb on the same day, aiming to bounce back from this defeat.