CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Hannah Hidalgo led the way with 24 points as No. 3 Notre Dame connected on 13 3-pointers to secure a 76-66 victory over No. 17 North Carolina on Sunday. The Fighting Irish improved to 12-2 overall and 3-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, extending their winning streak to seven games.
Hidalgo, along with Olivia Miles, a former Associated Press All-American, combined for 10 of Notre Dame’s 13 made 3-pointers in the game. Miles contributed 19 points, showcasing her skills with shots off the dribble and stepbacks against tight defense.
Notre Dame’s dominance was further highlighted by Liatu King’s impressive performance on the boards, pulling down 15 rebounds to anchor the team’s strong effort in that aspect of the game.
On the other side, Maria Gakdeng led the way for the Tar Heels with 16 points, with Lexi Donarski adding 13 points, including three 3-pointers.
Notre Dame welcomed back Maddy Westbeld from a foot injury that had kept her out for the entire season so far. Despite being held scoreless in her return, Westbeld’s experience and potential impact were evident, offering the Fighting Irish a boost moving forward.
For North Carolina, rebounding proved to be a significant challenge as they were outrebounded 40-28 by Notre Dame, leading to a 20-8 deficit in second-chance points.
The turning point in the game came in the second quarter when Notre Dame outscored North Carolina 22-12, establishing a commanding 14-point lead at halftime. Hidalgo’s acrobatic shot, where she banked in a scoop layup under pressure from Gakdeng, epitomized the Fighting Irish’s control and left observers in awe of her skill and composure.
While North Carolina attempted a comeback in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to five points at one stage, they were unable to bridge the gap as Notre Dame’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc continued to be a defining factor.
The Fighting Irish’s efficiency from long range was a key statistic in the game, making 13 of their 21 attempts from 3-point territory, including an impressive 12 of 16 through the first three quarters. Notre Dame’s prowess from deep reaffirmed their status as one of the top shooting teams in the nation, converting at a remarkable 42.9% clip from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, both teams are set to return to action on Thursday, with Notre Dame hosting Wake Forest and North Carolina facing off against 14th-ranked Duke in a highly anticipated matchup.
