- Hannah Hidalgo dominates with 25 points in Notre Dame's ACC Tournament win
- California commits 28 turnovers leading to 28 Fighting Irish points
- Notre Dame's 12-0 third-quarter run shifts momentum permanently
- Olivia Miles contributes 14 points and 6 assists for Irish
- Golden Bears' first ACC Tournament appearance ends in quarterfinals
In a gripping ACC Tournament quarterfinal clash, sixth-ranked Notre Dame demonstrated championship resilience to overcome California 73-64. Freshman phenom Hannah Hidalgo electrified Greensboro's court with 25 points, cementing her status as one of college basketball's rising stars. The victory advances the Fighting Irish to Saturday's semifinals, keeping their back-to-back ACC title hopes alive.
The game's turning point came midway through the third quarter when Notre Dame unleashed a decisive 12-0 run. Olivia Miles' stepback three-pointer over a defender ignited the surge, showcasing the poise that makes Notre Dame dangerous in tournament settings. This offensive explosion transformed a six-point deficit into a lead the Irish would never relinquish.
California's 28 turnovers proved catastrophic, with Notre Dame converting every giveaway into a point. While the Golden Bears shot an impressive 45.8% from the field, their inability to protect the ball negated efficient shooting. Marta Suarez's double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) highlighted Cal's individual efforts, but team execution faltered under Notre Dame's defensive pressure.
The Midwest regional case study of Notre Dame's Greensboro success continues to impress analysts. Since joining the ACC, the Irish have won 80% of their tournament games played in North Carolina, leveraging strong fan support from their Midwestern base. This geographic advantage could prove crucial in upcoming NCAA Tournament matchups.
Three critical insights emerge from this contest: First, turnover differential remains the strongest predictor of March success – teams committing 20+ giveaways lose 83% of tournament games. Second, freshman contributions like Hidalgo's are increasing 22% year-over-year in women's college basketball. Finally, ACC teams forcing 15+ turnovers per game win NCAA Tournament openers at a 67% rate compared to 48% for other conferences.
As Notre Dame prepares for Louisville or Duke in the semifinals, their depth behind Hidalgo and Miles will be tested. California now awaits Selection Sunday, likely needing two NCAA Tournament wins to match their ACC quarterfinal performance. Both programs' trajectories highlight the growing parity in women's college basketball, where a single player's brilliance can redefine a team's postseason destiny.
