FORT WORTH, Texas. (WISH) — No. 6 seed Notre Dame women’s basketball took down the No. 2 seed Vanderbilt in the Sweet 16, 67-64, on Friday.
With the game tied 64-64, senior guard Cassandre Prosper layed in the go-ahead bucket off a Hannah Hidalgo assist with 22 seconds remaining.
The Fighting Irish had lost in the Sweet 16 in four consecutive seasons, and now reach the Elite 8 for the first time under fifth-year head coach Niele Ivey. It’s Notre Dame’s first Elite 8 appearance since 2019.
Junior point guard Hannah Hidalgo led the team once again. Hidalgo finished with a team-high in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. She ended with 31 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 10 steals.
It’s the second triple-double with steals in NCAA Tournament history.
As a team, the Irish shot poorly from deep. Notre Dame ended 1-17 from three, their worst percentage from three in a single game all season.
However, the Irish made it’s mark defensively. Notre Dame recorded 16 steals as a team, and forced 23 Vanderbilt turnovers.
The Fighting Irish advance to the Elite 8 to play No. 1 seed UConn.
