Notre Dame Dominates NC State in 79-67 ACC Victory

Irish force 22 turnovers to cruise past Wolfpack

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball team delivered a commanding performance, defeating the NC State Wolfpack 79-67 in an ACC matchup. Notre Dame's stifling defense forced 22 turnovers from NC State, leading to a 24-2 advantage in points off turnovers for the Irish. Hannah Hidalgo led the way for Notre Dame with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals, and 6 assists.

Why it matters

This win helps Notre Dame continue its late-season surge as it looks to improve its positioning for the upcoming ACC and NCAA tournaments. The Irish's ability to force turnovers and capitalize on them was a key factor in the victory, showcasing their defensive intensity and ability to turn defense into offense.

The details

Notre Dame never trailed in the game, leading by as many as 23 points in the second half. The Irish featured a balanced offensive attack, with four players scoring 13 or more points. In addition to Hidalgo's strong all-around game, Cassandre Prosper and Iyana Moore each scored 14 points, while Malaya Cowles added 13. The Irish shot the ball well, going 16-for-31 from the field and 7-of-12 from three-point range in the first half to build a 47-27 halftime lead.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 16, 2026 inside Purcell Pavilion.
  • Notre Dame led 17-14 after the first quarter and 47-27 at halftime.

The players

Hannah Hidalgo

A key player for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Hidalgo led the team with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals, and 6 assists in the victory.

Cassandre Prosper

A scoring threat for Notre Dame, Prosper contributed 14 points in the win over NC State.

Iyana Moore

Moore also scored 14 points to help power the Irish offense in the ACC matchup.

Malaya Cowles

Cowles added 13 points as part of Notre Dame's balanced scoring attack.

Gisela Sanchez

Sanchez provided a spark off the bench, connecting on two three-pointers during Notre Dame's second-quarter run.

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What they’re saying

“Our defense was the key tonight. We were able to force turnovers and turn them into points on the other end. That's the kind of effort we need to keep building on as we head into the final stretch of the season.”

— Hannah Hidalgo (onefootdown.com)

What’s next

The Fighting Irish will hit the road for a midweek matchup against Wake Forest on Thursday, February 19th at 6 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on ACCNX.

The takeaway

Notre Dame's dominant defensive performance, forcing 22 turnovers and converting them into 24 points, was the driving force behind their convincing victory over NC State. The Irish's balanced scoring attack and ability to control the game from start to finish showcased their potential as they look to make a late-season push in the ACC and NCAA tournaments.