SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Hannah Hidalgo finished with an impressive 24 points and five assists, helping No. 3 Notre Dame secure a dominant 91-52 victory over No. 21 California on Sunday. The win marked the team’s 16th consecutive victory, further solidifying their strong performance this season.
Alongside Hidalgo, Olivia Miles also made significant contributions, scoring 16 points while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out six assists for Notre Dame (21-2 overall, 12-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference). Sonia Citron added another 16 points to the team’s total.
Lulu Twidale was the standout for California (19-6, 7-5), scoring 14 points in the game.
Notre Dame established a commanding 44-23 lead by halftime. The Bears endured a rough patch, shooting only 1-for-9 during a critical stretch while committing four turnovers. This allowed the Fighting Irish to close the second quarter on an 11-2 run over the last 5:55.
**Highlights:**
*Notre Dame:* The Fighting Irish continue their stronghold in the ACC with their 15th consecutive regular-season conference win, a streak that dates back to the previous season.
*California:* The Bears had a tough night, managing only 32% shooting overall, including just 8-for-28 from beyond the arc. They also struggled with ball control, turning it over 21 times during the game.
**Defining Moment:**
One of the game’s pivotal moments came when Hannah Hidalgo showcased her skills. After grabbing a rebound from a missed shot by Cal, she maintained her balance and raced down the court to sink a step-back 3-pointer, pushing Notre Dame’s lead to 59-33 in the third quarter.
**Notable Statistic:**
In the first half alone, Notre Dame capitalized on their seven offensive rebounds, turning these opportunities into a remarkable 15-0 lead in second-chance points.
**Looking Ahead:**
Next, Notre Dame is scheduled to play at Pittsburgh on Thursday, while California will host Boston College on the same day.
