Hidalgo’s Triple-Double Propels Irish to Elite Eight

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 29, 2026 1:24 PM ET

Hidalgo’s Triple-Double Propels Irish to Elite Eight

Notre Dame edged No. 2 seed Vanderbilt 67-64 in Fort Worth. The win sends the Irish into the Elite Eight for the 11th time in program history.

Game summary

The Sweet Sixteen showdown took place at Dickies Arena on Friday. Notre Dame closed the game on a decisive scoring sequence in the final 30 seconds.

First half

Vanderbilt opened with an early 5-2 lead. Notre Dame responded with an 11-0 run to take control.

The Irish led 15-11 after the first quarter. They forced 10 turnovers in the opening period and held Vanderbilt to 2-for-12 shooting.

Notre Dame extended its lead to 25-13 early in the second. Vanderbilt countered with a nine-point spurt to make it 25-22 before halftime.

The teams went to the break with Notre Dame ahead 31-26. Hidalgo had 16 points and seven steals in the first 20 minutes.

Second half

The third quarter saw leads fluctuate between six and ten points. Notre Dame held a 50-44 edge entering the fourth.

Vanderbilt rallied in the final period and tied the game at 57-57. The Commodores briefly led 60-59 with just over two minutes left.

With 23 seconds remaining, Hannah Hidalgo grabbed an inbounds pass and fed Cassandre Prosper. Prosper converted the layup to make it 66-64.

Vanderbilt turned the ball over on the next possession. Prosper added one of two free throws to reach the final 67-64 score.

Hidalgo milestones

Hannah Hidalgo produced a historic triple-double. She finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 steals.

Her stat line also included seven assists and a block. The performance was one of the most dominant efforts in this NCAA Tournament.

Hidalgo surpassed Chastadie Barrs’ single-season steals record. She reached 199 steals, topping Barrs’ 192 set in 2019.

She also set the NCAA Tournament record for steals in a single tournament with 26. Hidalgo’s 30-point triple-double is the second in women’s tournament history.

Key contributors and team defense

Cassandre Prosper finished with 15 points and five rebounds. She made the go-ahead layup and sank a late free throw.
Malaya Cowles provided timely scoring, including a third-quarter layup that helped extend the lead.
Notre Dame’s defense held Vanderbilt to 23.1 percent shooting in the first half. That was the program’s lowest half percentage allowed in an NCAA Tournament game since 2017.
The Irish forced at least 15 turnovers, extending their active streak to nine NCAA Tournament games.

Program and player notes

The Irish recorded their 20th season with 25 or more wins. Notre Dame’s all-time NCAA Tournament record improved to 78-28.

Coach Niele Ivey is now 11-4 in NCAA Tournament games in her career. Notre Dame improved to 5-1 all-time versus Vanderbilt.

Hidalgo has scored 20 or more points in 10 straight games. She has posted 30-plus points in 10 games this season and 19 in her career, a program record.

Hidalgo has now scored in double figures in every game of her career, an active college basketball streak and a Notre Dame record.

Cassandre Prosper has at least one blocked shot in nine consecutive NCAA Tournament games. That is the longest active streak among players.