Notre Dame Fighting Irish Outpace SMU Mustangs with Hidalgo's Steals at Moody Coliseum

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish secured a decisive victory over the SMU Mustangs with an 88-63 win, improving their record to 1-0. The Mustangs, now at 0-1, struggled to keep pace with the relentless energy of the Fighting Irish. The game took place at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, where Notre Dame showcased their dominance on both ends of the court.

First Quarter

The opening quarter set the tone for Notre Dame as they surged ahead with a commanding 29 points. Hannah Hidalgo was instrumental in this early lead, contributing significantly to her team's fast break points and steals. Her defensive prowess was evident as she recorded an impressive number of steals throughout the game.

Second Quarter

In the second quarter, both teams tightened their defenses. The Fighting Irish managed to add another 15 points while maintaining their lead over SMU. Cassandre Prosper played a crucial role during this period by securing rebounds and assisting her teammates effectively.

Third Quarter

Notre Dame came back strong after halftime, scoring an impressive 30 points in the third quarter. Iyana Moore stepped up offensively during this period, showcasing her shooting accuracy and contributing vital points that extended Notre Dame's lead further.

Fourth Quarter

The final quarter saw both teams adding another 14 points each to their totals. Despite SMU's efforts to close the gap, they were unable to overcome Notre Dame’s solid defense and efficient ball movement led by KK Bransford’s strategic plays.

Overall, it was a comprehensive performance from Notre Dame who excelled in converting turnovers into scoring opportunities—an area where they outshone SMU significantly with 26 points off turnovers compared to just six from their opponents.

For fans eager for more action from these talented athletes: mark your calendars! The next game is scheduled against Syracuse Orange on February 26th at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend; tune into ACC Network Extra for live coverage starting at 7:00 PM EST!

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