National Player of the Week in Women’s Basketball for Week 3
Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame has been recognized as the national player of the week for women’s basketball. In a key matchup on Saturday, Hidalgo delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 24 points, contributing eight assists, and grabbing six rebounds, which propelled then-No. 6 Notre Dame to a 74-61 victory over third-ranked USC. This remarkable achievement marks the tenth occasion in Hidalgo’s career where she has recorded at least 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five steals in a single game. This feat is unprecedented, as it stands as the highest number of such games recorded in Division I women’s basketball over the past 25 years.
Runner-Up
Maya McDermott from Northern Iowa also had an impressive week, leading her team to a significant 87-75 upset victory against then-No. 8 Iowa State. She notched a career-high with 37 points, shooting 14-of-21 from the floor and sinking three of her four attempts from beyond the arc. In addition to her scoring, McDermott contributed four assists and three steals. This remarkable win not only marked the first time Northern Iowa has defeated a top 10 team in the history of its program but also the first victory within the Missouri Valley Conference during the regular season since the 2000-01 campaign.
Honorable Mentions
Other notable performances this week were highlighted by Lauren Jensen from Creighton, Kendall Bostic of Illinois, and Laura Ziegler from Saint Joseph’s, all of whom showcased their talent on the court.
Watch Out For
Additionally, keep an eye on Jalei Oglesby, a guard for Oral Roberts, who played a pivotal role in leading her team to a 94-73 triumph over Arkansas. This marked the program’s first victory against a Power Four conference team since 2016. Oglesby had an impressive output of 23 points and five assists, hitting nine of her 15 field goal attempts. Currently, she leads the Summit League with a field goal percentage of 56.4% and is fifth in scoring with an average of 15.2 points per game.