CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — In a decisive performance, Hannah Hidalgo erupted for 18 of her 24 total points prior to halftime, leading No. 3 Notre Dame to a 76-66 victory over No. 17 North Carolina on Sunday.
The Fighting Irish (12-2, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) showcased their strength by sinking 13 shots from beyond the arc. Hidalgo, along with Olivia Miles—her fellow former Associated Press All-American backcourt partner—contributed significantly to the win, with both players successfully hitting five three-pointers. Miles concluded the game with 19 points, showcasing her shooting accuracy both off the dribble and through step-back shots to effectively evade defenders.
Additionally, Liatu King emphasized Notre Dame’s dominance on the boards with a notable 15-rebound performance, contributing to an overall strong rebounding display. On the other side, the Tar Heels (13-3, 1-2) saw standout performances from Maria Gakdeng, who scored 16 points, and Lexi Donarski, who added 13 points, hitting three crucial 3-pointers.
A significant development for Notre Dame was the return of Maddy Westbeld from a foot injury that had sidelined her for the entirety of the season. Although she registered no points in her 13 minutes of play, the experienced fifth-year graduate—who boasts 120 career starts—has the potential to become a vital asset for the team, which is a preseason favorite in the ACC.
For North Carolina, rebounding proved to be a critical issue as they were out-rebounded 40-28 and struggled to compete on the second-chance points front, getting outscored 20-8 in that category.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred during the second quarter when the Fighting Irish seized control, outscoring the Tar Heels 22-12 and creating a 14-point lead by halftime. One highlight of the quarter was Hidalgo’s impressive bucket, where she banked in a scooping shot while maneuvering past Gakdeng’s reach—a moment that visibly stunned the sophomore.
North Carolina narrowed the gap to five points early in the third quarter but could not bridge the divide to regain the lead.
In terms of shooting efficiency, the Fighting Irish demonstrated remarkable accuracy, hitting 13 of their 21 attempts from three-point range. At one point, they impressively made 12 of 16 threes before the final quarter began. Notre Dame’s 3-point proficiency is validated by their national leading percentage of 42.9%.
Looking ahead, both teams have upcoming matches on Thursday. Notre Dame will host Wake Forest, while North Carolina is set to face their fierce rival, 14th-ranked Duke, at home.
