South Bend, Indiana – In an impressive season opener for both teams, the No. 6 ranked Notre Dame women’s basketball team dominated Mercyhurst with a resounding 105-61 victory on Monday.

Liatu King made a remarkable impact in her debut for Notre Dame after transferring from Pitt, scoring 24 points while pulling down 11 rebounds, achieving a double-double. King showcased her shooting skill by going 11 for 13 from the field.

Olivia Miles, a senior guard who missed the previous season due to a knee injury, had an outstanding performance as well, recording a triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Miles also impressively converted three and-one opportunities during the game.

Hannah Hidalgo contributed significantly to the win with 19 points, along with nine rebounds, six steals, and two assists. Other notable performances included Kate Koval contributing 18 points and Cassandre Prosper adding 17 points to the scoreboard.

Bailey Kuhns was the standout player for Mercyhurst, leading her team with 20 points throughout the match.

Despite missing four key players—Sonia Citron, Liza Karlen, Kylee Watson, and Maddy Westbeld—due to injuries, Notre Dame demonstrated ample strength and depth, affirming their high ranking. In contrast, Mercyhurst faced a challenging debut, competing against a Top 10 team as they began their journey at the Division I level but remained competitive and scrappy during the game.

One of the game’s highlights occurred when Miles showcased her playmaking abilities by chasing down a long pass and executing a spectacular no-look assist to King during a fast break in the second quarter. This play was a clear indication of Miles’ readiness and return to top form.

Aside from the impressive total of 105 points scored by Notre Dame, concerns may arise from their shooting effort from beyond the arc, hitting only 3 out of 17 attempts, which equates to 18%. Nonetheless, their overall shooting accuracy of 60% (45 of 75) was a bright spot.

Looking ahead, Notre Dame will head to West Lafayette to face in-state rival Purdue on Sunday, while Mercyhurst is set to take on DePaul in their next matchup on Wednesday.