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Notre Dame Women's Basketball Advances to Elite Eight
A Deep Dive into Their Sweet Sixteen Victory Over Vanderbilt
Mar. 28, 2026 at 9:52am
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A cubist interpretation of the thrilling Sweet Sixteen matchup between Notre Dame and Vanderbilt, highlighting the dynamic play and versatility of the teams' star guards.Notre Dame TodayNotre Dame's women's basketball team secured a hard-fought 67-64 victory over Vanderbilt in the Sweet Sixteen, propelling them to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019. The game, played at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, showcased a thrilling comeback attempt by Vanderbilt, ultimately thwarted by a dominant performance from Irish guard Hannah Hidalgo.
Why it matters
Notre Dame's victory marks a significant milestone for the program and sets the stage for a challenging Elite Eight matchup. The team's ability to overcome adversity and rely on standout performances like Hidalgo's will be crucial as they continue their pursuit of a national championship. Additionally, Hidalgo's performance exemplifies a growing trend in women's college basketball: the increasing dominance of skilled and versatile guards.
The details
Hannah Hidalgo delivered a standout performance, recording a remarkable triple-double with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals. She nearly achieved a quadruple-double, adding seven assists to her impressive stat line. Hidalgo's performance was pivotal in overcoming Vanderbilt's late-game surge and securing the win. Vanderbilt, led by Mikayla Blakes with 26 points and Aubrey Galvan with 24 points, mounted a strong challenge in the fourth quarter, briefly taking the lead. However, Notre Dame's resilience and Hidalgo's clutch plays proved decisive. Vanderbilt finished the game with 23 turnovers, contributing to 23 points for Notre Dame.
- The game was played at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on March 27, 2026.
The players
Hannah Hidalgo
A guard for the Notre Dame women's basketball team who recorded a triple-double with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals in the Sweet Sixteen victory over Vanderbilt.
Mikayla Blakes
A player for the Vanderbilt women's basketball team who led her team with 26 points in the Sweet Sixteen loss to Notre Dame.
Aubrey Galvan
A player for the Vanderbilt women's basketball team who scored 24 points in the Sweet Sixteen loss to Notre Dame.
Cassandre Prosper
A player for the Notre Dame women's basketball team who contributed 15 points and five rebounds in the Sweet Sixteen victory over Vanderbilt.
What’s next
Notre Dame will face a challenging Elite Eight matchup as they continue their pursuit of a national championship.
The takeaway
Hannah Hidalgo's performance exemplifies a growing trend in women's college basketball: the increasing dominance of skilled and versatile guards. Teams are adapting their strategies to maximize the impact of these dynamic players, who can impact the game in multiple ways.
