Hidalgo Shines as Notre Dame Rolls Past Pitt in ACC Home Opener
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - After an eight-day holiday break, Notre Dame women’s basketball returned to the court Monday night with fresh legs, sharp focus, and a reminder to the rest of the ACC that they’re not easing into conference play. The Irish dominated from start to finish, dismantling Pittsburgh 94-59 in their ACC home opener.
And once again, it was Hannah Hidalgo leading the charge.
Hidalgo Makes History - Again
There’s no other way to put it: Hannah Hidalgo is rewriting the Notre Dame record book in real time. The All-American guard dropped 30 points on the Panthers, marking her fourth 30-point game of the season and the 13th of her career - both program bests. She now stands alone atop that list.
But she wasn’t done there.
Hidalgo also tied Arike Ogunbowale for the most 20-point games in program history with 60. That’s elite company - and she’s not even done with her sophomore season. It’s the kind of production that doesn’t just win games; it sets the tone for a program aiming to make a deep March run.
And while she was scoring at will, Hidalgo was also making plays on the other end. By halftime, she had passed head coach Niele Ivey on Notre Dame’s all-time steals list, moving into second place.
Only Skylar Diggins, a seven-time WNBA All-Star, remains ahead of her. That gap?
It's closing fast.
Moore Makes Her Mark
In her first start in a Notre Dame uniform, Iyana Moore looked like she’d been in the lineup all season. The Vanderbilt transfer poured in 23 points and played with the poise of a veteran, giving the Irish a second dynamic scoring option alongside Hidalgo.
Moore’s ability to create off the dribble and knock down shots from deep helped Notre Dame build a commanding lead before halftime. By the break, the Irish were up 51-29, and Pitt never seriously threatened after that.
Defense Fuels the Offense
Notre Dame’s defense has been a calling card all season, and Monday night was no different. The Irish racked up 17 steals - their 11th game this year with double-digit thefts - and turned those takeaways into 32 fastbreak points. That’s where the game was won.
Cassandre Prosper anchored the interior with four blocks, tying her career high and altering several more shots that didn’t make the box score. Her presence inside, combined with Hidalgo’s pressure on the perimeter, made it a long night for Pitt’s ballhandlers.
Ivey Praises Team’s Focus Post-Break
Returning from a holiday break can be tricky. Rust, travel, and the mental reset of family time can throw off even the best teams. But head coach Niele Ivey was quick to credit her players for staying locked in.
“It was just a really great collective team win,” Ivey said. “Coming back from Christmas break, sometimes it’s hard to get into your rhythm and your flow.
But I thought this group came back with a ton of energy. This was a great performance at home.”
Ivey also gave a nod to the fans who braved the snowy conditions to show up and support the team.
“Really appreciate the crowd coming out with the snow, the weather - great way to go into 2026.”
Short Rotation Raises Questions
Despite the lopsided win, there was one notable storyline that could have longer-term implications: Notre Dame used just six players for the majority of the game. Hidalgo played 36 minutes, while both Prosper and Moore logged 39.
The short rotation was due to illness working its way through the locker room, but this isn’t the first time the Irish have leaned heavily on their starters. It’s worked against teams like Pitt, but with the heart of ACC play approaching, the question becomes: can Notre Dame maintain this pace against deeper, more physical opponents?
What’s Next
The Irish won’t have much time to rest. They hit the road for a New Year’s Day matchup at Georgia Tech, another ACC contest that could test their depth and stamina.
Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. ET and will be streamed on ACC Network.
If Monday’s performance was any indication, Notre Dame is locked in - and Hannah Hidalgo is playing some of the best basketball in the country.