Notre Dame's Hidalgo Leads Comeback Over Vanderbilt in March Madness

Sophomore guard's triple-double and game-winning assist propel Fighting Irish to Elite Eight

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:22am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a matchup of two of the nation's top scorers, Notre Dame sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo recorded a rare triple-double with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals to lead the Fighting Irish to a 67-64 comeback victory over higher-seeded Vanderbilt in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Hidalgo also provided the game-winning assist in the final minute to send Notre Dame to the Elite Eight.

Why it matters

Hidalgo's performance was a signature moment in the NCAA Tournament, showcasing her all-around skills and ability to will her team to victory in a high-stakes matchup. The win also continues Notre Dame's March Madness run, keeping them alive in the hunt for a national championship.

The details

Trailing by as many as 12 points in the second half, Hidalgo led Notre Dame's furious comeback, scoring 15 of her 31 points in the final 10 minutes. Her triple-double included an NCAA single-season record 10 steals. With the game tied 64-64 in the final minute, Hidalgo drove and dished to a teammate for the go-ahead bucket that proved to be the game-winner.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 27, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The players

Hannah Hidalgo

A sophomore guard for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Hidalgo is one of the top scorers in the country and had a historic performance to lead her team to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

Mikayla Blakes

A star guard for the Vanderbilt Commodores, Blakes was one of the nation's leading scorers but came up short against Hidalgo and Notre Dame in the Sweet 16.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Notre Dame women's basketball team, making a deep run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament after a strong regular season.

Vanderbilt Commodores

The Vanderbilt women's basketball team, a higher-seeded squad that was upset by Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Hannah just willed us to this win. Her energy and playmaking were unbelievable.”

— Natalija Stevic, Notre Dame Forward

“We had our chances, but Hidalgo made all the big plays down the stretch. She's a special player.”

— Stephanie White, Vanderbilt Head Coach

What’s next

Notre Dame will face the winner of the UCLA-Maryland game in the Elite Eight, with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

The takeaway

Hannah Hidalgo's historic triple-double performance, capped by the game-winning assist, showcased her status as one of the premier players in women's college basketball and kept Notre Dame's national championship hopes alive.