Hannah Hidalgo scores 27 points and No. 15 Notre Dame women blow out Fairleigh Dickinson 98-52

3 hours ago7 min read4 comments

Alright, let's break this down like we're dissecting a highlight reel after a big win. Hannah Hidalgo didn't just show up for the Notre Dame women's basketball season opener against Fairleigh Dickinson; she put on a masterclass, dropping 27 points like it was a casual shootaround.Seriously, 11 of 22 from the field, plus six boards and three dimes? That's the kind of stat line that makes you sit up and say, 'Yeah, she's that guy. ' And she's a national player of the year candidate? No kidding.Watching her slice through the defense, you'd think she was channeling a bit of that Kyrie Irving handle with a Steph Curry finishing flair—it was just pure, unadulterated hoops magic. But here's the thing: this wasn't a one-woman show.Gisela Sanchez, making her debut after transferring from Kansas State, came in with a double-double—14 points and 12 rebounds—like she'd been wearing the Fighting Irish jersey for years. That's the kind of depth that turns a good team into a nightmare matchup.And let's not forget Vanessa DeJesus, another transfer from Duke, who poured in 22 points, showing that this squad isn't just reloading; they're building a powerhouse with pieces that fit together like a perfectly executed pick-and-roll. The game itself was over almost before it started—Notre Dame shot 65% in the first quarter and led 27-13, then went on a 21-0 run that felt like something out of a video game on easy mode.By halftime, it was 50-20, and Hidalgo already had 20 points in her pocket. The Knights, sitting at 0-2, tried to keep up, with Ava Renninger and Joi Johnson combining for 25 points, but when you're outrebounded 41-25 and cough up 19 turnovers that turn into 32 points for the other side? That's a recipe for a blowout, plain and simple.Notre Dame's ball security was on point too—only eight turnovers all game, which is like finding a unicorn in college basketball. What really stands out, though, is how this team is shaping up under the radar.With stars like Hidalgo leading the charge and newcomers like Sanchez and DeJesus stepping up, it feels like they're building something special, the kind of squad that could make a deep run in March if they keep this energy. And hey, with only one bench player, Kelly Ratigan, seeing action in the first 36 minutes, it's clear the starters are getting the reps to gel.As the final buzzer sounded at 98-52, you couldn't help but think: this is just the start. For fans, it's a promise of more fireworks to come—and for opponents, maybe a little warning shot across the bow.

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#Hannah Hidalgo

#Notre Dame Fighting Irish

#women's basketball

#college basketball

#season opener

#Fairleigh Dickinson

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