Notre Dame's Heartbreaking Loss: Hannah Hidalgo's Heroics Fall Short Against Duke

The Fighting Irish's star player puts on a dominant performance, but Duke holds on for the win in the ACC Tournament semifinal.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:55am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a women's college basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, creating a dynamic and abstract visual representation of the game's energy and intensity.A cubist interpretation of the intense action and emotion of the Notre Dame-Duke women's basketball matchup, capturing the game's drama through a fragmented, geometric lens.Notre Dame Today

In a thrilling ACC Tournament semifinal, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish fell just short of an upset victory against the No. 13 Duke Blue Devils. The 65-63 loss marked the second consecutive year that Duke eliminated Notre Dame from the single-elimination bracket, but the story of this game goes beyond the final score. Notre Dame's star player, Hannah Hidalgo, put on a clinic, scoring 24 points and grabbing eight rebounds, but her heroic efforts were not enough to overcome Duke.

Why it matters

This game showcases the resilience and growth of the Notre Dame team, which had won seven straight games leading up to this matchup. Despite the loss, the Fighting Irish demonstrated their ability to compete with one of the top teams in the country. The performance of Hannah Hidalgo, the reigning back-to-back ACC Player of the Year, has also drawn attention to her talent and endurance, as she played the majority of the game with limited rest.

The details

The game itself was a back-and-forth affair, with Notre Dame clawing their way back from an early deficit. They took a lead into the fourth quarter, but ultimately, it was Duke who held on for the win. The final possession was a heart-stopping moment, with Notre Dame missing three attempts to tie or take the lead.

  • The ACC Tournament semifinal took place on April 11, 2026.
  • Notre Dame had won seven straight games leading up to this matchup.

The players

Hannah Hidalgo

The reigning back-to-back ACC Player of the Year, Hidalgo put on a dominant performance, scoring 24 points and grabbing eight rebounds while playing the majority of the game with limited rest.

Niele Ivey

The head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Ivey praised her team's resilience and hard work, highlighting the growth and unity within the squad.

Olivia Miles

A former Notre Dame player who is now starring for TCU, Miles could potentially face her former teammates if Notre Dame and TCU meet in the upcoming Women's NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will now turn their attention to the upcoming Women's NCAA Tournament, where they are projected to be a No. 6 seed. Coach Ivey believes that the lessons learned from this ACC Tournament loss will serve them well as they look to make a deep run in March.

The takeaway

While the loss to Duke was disappointing, Notre Dame has shown tremendous growth and potential this season. The team's resilience and unity are a testament to their character, and with some rest and reflection, they can enter the NCAA Tournament with a renewed sense of purpose. This Fighting Irish squad has the potential to make a deep run, and it will be exciting to see how they perform on the national stage.