SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo put on a show during a recent game, setting an NCAA record with 16 steals and scoring an impressive 44 points. The Fighting Irish beat Akron 85-58, showcasing their strength on the court.
Hidalgo, a standout player and a preseason All-American, was on fire. She hit 16 of her 25 shots, including 3 out of 6 from beyond the arc, and made 9 of 11 free throws—all in just 28 minutes of play. Alongside her scoring feat, she grabbed nine rebounds and handed out four assists.
This performance broke the NCAA record for steals, previously held at 14. Notably, the last player to hold that record was Jill Ingram from Georgia Tech back in February 2008.
As a team, Notre Dame tallied an impressive 30 steals from a total of 38 turnovers by Akron, translating to 41 points. However, Notre Dame also had 20 turnovers, which allowed Akron to score 13 points. Cassandre Prosper added 14 points, while Ni’Rah Clark contributed 13 points, Shaena Brew had 12, and Corinne Reed scored 11 for the Zips.
After a strong first half, Notre Dame led 48-34. Hidalgo alone had 28 points by halftime, kicking off a 14-0 run that propelled Notre Dame to a significant lead. Despite this victory, the Irish fell three spots in the AP Top 25 rankings, even after winning their last two games by an average margin of 52 points.
Hidalgo’s performance resonates with trends in the sport, as women’s basketball continues to grow in popularity and skill. Fans on social media celebrated her achievement, highlighting how pivotal moments like this promote the game and inspire young players.
With statistics showing that women’s basketball viewership is on the rise, performances like Hidalgo’s could further spark interest. According to recent surveys, there has been a 37% increase in attendance at women’s college games over the last five years, reflecting a bigger push for support and recognition of female athletes.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Hidalgo and the Notre Dame team, as they work to build on this impressive start.
