Notre Dame Runs Out of Steam Late in Top-25 Clash Against Louisville
In a season that’s already tested Notre Dame’s depth and resilience, Thursday night’s 79-66 loss to No. 9 Louisville marked another hard-fought battle that ultimately slipped away.
The No. 23 Irish showed flashes of their potential but couldn’t sustain the energy over four quarters, dropping to 2-3 in January and 2-3 overall against top-25 opponents.
It was a game that started with promise. Notre Dame led after the first quarter, opened the second with an 8-2 run, and kept things tight into halftime. But as the minutes piled up and the legs got heavier, Louisville’s depth and shot-making separated them down the stretch.
Hidalgo Leads the Charge - Again
Once again, the engine behind the Irish attack was freshman phenom Hannah Hidalgo. She poured in 24 points on 8-of-19 shooting, adding five rebounds and seven assists in another all-around effort. Her relentless drive kept Notre Dame within striking distance for much of the game, but the burden she’s carrying this season is becoming increasingly apparent.
“We know what it is,” Hidalgo said after the game. “We know what we get ourselves into with the small bench, and I think we can win with what we have. It’s just a matter of everybody buying in.”
That mindset is admirable - and necessary - for a team that’s been short-handed for much of the season. Head coach Niele Ivey leaned heavily on her starters again, with all five logging more than 35 minutes. Gisela Sanchez was the only player off the bench to see any real time, playing just nine minutes.
Ivey: “It Took Us a While to Get Going”
Despite the strong early effort, Ivey wasn’t pleased with the team’s energy to start the game - especially coming off a win just days prior.
“The frustrating part is that tonight we came out slow,” she said. “We had a really good win on Sunday, and today it just took us a while to get going… It’s my job to make sure that we’re coming out with that same energy and focus for 40 minutes. I didn’t think we had that.”
Notre Dame’s early effort kept them in the fight, but Louisville’s third-quarter surge - punctuated by a pair of back-to-back threes - proved to be the turning point. The Irish trimmed the deficit to six late in the third, but they never got closer.
Supporting Cast Shows Signs, But Needs More
Alongside Hidalgo, Iyana Moore stepped up with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including a clutch three that tied the game early. Mayala Cowles added 12 points and five rebounds, showing some of the offensive aggression the Irish will need more consistently moving forward.
Cassandre Prosper chipped in nine points and pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds, but shot just 3-of-11 from the field. As a group, Notre Dame shot 39% from the floor - respectable, but not enough to keep pace with Louisville’s 48%.
Perhaps the most glaring stat: Notre Dame went just 1-for-4 from the free-throw line in the first half - all attempts coming from Hidalgo - while Louisville knocked down 86% of their freebies. In a game where every possession mattered, those missed opportunities loomed large.
Highlight Moments Show Fight, But Not Finish
There were still moments that reminded fans what this group is capable of when locked in. Hidalgo’s drive to extend the Irish lead early in the second quarter.
Moore’s smooth three to tie the game. Sanchez’s steal that led to a crafty Hidalgo finish.
Even in defeat, the grit was there.
But grit alone doesn’t win games in the ACC - especially not against top-10 opponents.
What Comes Next: A Date with the No. 1 Team in the Nation
It doesn’t get any easier from here. Notre Dame now heads east to take on undefeated No.
1 UConn, a team that just dismantled Creighton by 41 points. The Huskies are 17-0 and rolling, while the Irish are searching for answers - and rest - as they try to regroup.
Tipoff is set for Jan. 19 at 5:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
It’s a massive challenge, but also an opportunity. If the Irish can find a way to put together a full 40-minute effort - and get production beyond their star guard - they might just have a shot to shake up the national picture.
But first, they’ll need to find a second wind. Because riding Hidalgo alone won’t be enough.
Not in this conference. Not in March.