SOUTH BEND, Ind. — In an impressive display of talent, Hannah Hidalgo netted 27 points as the No. 8 Notre Dame women’s basketball team cruised to a commanding 118-49 victory over Eastern Michigan on Sunday, marking their fourth consecutive win.
The 5-foot-6 sophomore was highly efficient, shooting 10 out of 14 from the floor, while also contributing six steals, four rebounds, and four assists to her team’s performance. Notre Dame (9-2) showcased their dominance by outpacing Eastern Michigan in fastbreak points with a staggering 50-0 advantage and recorded a significant 17-2 lead in steals. The Fighting Irish had six players reaching double-digit scoring figures in this matchup.
Emma Risch, coming off the bench, was particularly impactful, draining 7 of 9 attempts from beyond the arc and finishing with 23 points. Other notable performances included Cassandre Prosper adding 20 points, Liatu King contributing 15 points and securing 15 rebounds, and Olivia Miles, who provided 17 points and eight assists. Sonia Citron also made her presence felt by scoring 11 points.
For Eastern Michigan (1-6), Olivia Smith led her team with 13 points, while Sisi Eleko and Mackenzie Amalia each chipped in with 10 points apiece.
Takeaways from the game show Notre Dame’s impressive performance, especially after their rigorous three-week stretch where they triumphed over formidable opponents such as No. 2 UConn, No. 3 Southern Cal, and No. 4 Texas. In contrast, Eastern Michigan returned from a two-week hiatus following a victory against Xavier.
A highlight of the game occurred when Hannah Hidalgo executed a stunning behind-the-back dribble followed by a spin move to score a layup with 6:53 remaining in the second quarter, pushing Notre Dame’s lead to 37-11.
Statistically, Notre Dame displayed remarkable shooting accuracy, finishing the game at 46 for 68, which is an impressive 68%. This marks their best shooting performance since they shot 69.8% against Western Kentucky on December 19, 2018. From long range, the team converted 16 out of 24 attempts.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame will host Loyola (Md.) next Sunday, while Eastern Michigan will travel to face UT Rio Grande Valley on Thursday.