FORT WORTH, TX ― Vanderbilt basketball fell just short of the Elite 8 with a 67-64 loss to Notre Dame in its Sweet 16 matchup March 27 at Dickies Arena.
The Commodores were down as many as 12 points in the first half and committed their season-high in turnovers but kept the game close through a strong defensive and rebounding performance, and the Commodores made a run in the fourth quarter, taking their first lead since the first quarter with less than three minutes to go in the game.
Though Vanderbilt didn’t shoot well, Mikayla Blakes and Aubrey Galvan found ways to score with 26 and 24 points, respectively. The Commodores managed to get to the free-throw line often and shot 21-for-25 from the line.
With the two teams tied late, Notre Dame got a key offensive rebound and Cassandre Prosper was wide open under the basket for a layup that took the lead with 22.9 seconds to go. Blakes turned the ball over on the ensuing possession, forcing Vanderbilt to foul. Prosper made 1-for-2 at the line, giving the Irish a three-point lead.
Galvan and Blakes each got a look from three at the end of the game, but both shots missed. Hannah Hidalgo put up a triple-double, with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 steals while also having seven assists.
Hannah Hidalgo collected seven steals in the first half and 10 overall as she made a significant impact defensively. Vanderbilt shot just 23% in the first half, committing 16 turnovers in the half and 23 overall.
Mikayla Blakes and Aubrey Galvan did the majority of the scoring, while Vanderbilt got little offensively out of anyone else. Sacha Washington struggled to handle the ball and Justine Pissott’s shots weren’t falling. While bench players Aiyana Mitchell, Jada Brown and Ava Black provided a big help defensively, they didn’t score much.
No one besides Blakes or Galvan had more than four points.
Part of what allowed Vanderbilt to stay in the game despite its poor shooting and plentiful turnovers was its performance on the boards. Vanderbilt out-rebounded Notre Dame, 44-30.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or on X @aria_gerson.
