Hannah Hidalgo Sets NCAA Record with 16 Steals, 44 Points

UPDATE: In a stunning display of skill and determination, Hannah Hidalgo broke the NCAA record for steals with an astonishing 16 steals while scoring a remarkable 44 points in the No. 18 Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s decisive 85-58 victory over Akron on November 15, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana.

Hidalgo’s performance is historic, setting a new NCAA record for steals previously held by several athletes, most recently Ticha Penicheiro of Old Dominion in 1998. The junior guard dominated the court, shooting 16 of 25 from the field, including 3 of 6 from beyond the arc, and hitting 9 of 11 free throws—all in just 28 minutes of play.

This victory is crucial for the Fighting Irish, who improve to 3-0 on the season. Hidalgo’s explosive scoring helped Notre Dame amass 30 steals from Akron’s 38 turnovers, converting them into 41 points. The Irish controlled the game from the start, leading 48-34 at halftime after Hidalgo contributed an impressive 28 points by that point.

With her electrifying performance, Hidalgo ignited a 14-0 run in the second quarter, scoring the first 12 points of the surge, and capped it with a 9-0 run in the third quarter, pushing Notre Dame’s lead to 70-44. Teammate Cassandre Prosper supported her with 14 points, while Akron struggled to keep up, with Ni’Rah Clark leading the Zips with 13 points.

As the season progresses, Hidalgo’s performance sets a high bar for her team and positions them as strong contenders in the NCAA landscape. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how she will continue to impact the game.

Next up for the Fighting Irish is a matchup that could further test their momentum as they look to maintain their unbeaten start. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and follow Hidalgo’s journey as she aims to leave a lasting legacy in NCAA history.

For more highlights from around college basketball, check out other recent scores, including No. 1 UConn’s dominant win over Loyola Chicago and No. 5 LSU’s fourth consecutive game surpassing 100 points. The excitement of women’s college basketball is heating up, and fans are hungry for every thrilling moment!