Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Triumphs Over USC in Pivotal Early-Season Matchup

No. 6 Notre Dame demonstrated its strength in the women’s college basketball arena with a definitive victory over No. 3 USC, marking a notable early-season triumph in Los Angeles. The Irish never trailed in this matchup, which ended with a 74-61 score in favor of Notre Dame, handing USC its first defeat of the season.

The Irish were led by coach Niele Ivey, who praised her team’s resilience and composure. «This group is special,» Ivey remarked postgame. «I’m so grateful to be able to lead them, and I’m really proud of the way that we’ve been resilient through injuries.»

Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles emerged as standout players for Notre Dame, contributing a significant portion of the team’s points. Hidalgo, who scored 24 points and added 8 assists, led the Irish’s charge, while Miles added 20 points and was pivotal in the closing quarter of the game.

The game attracted a noteworthy audience at the Galen Center, including celebrities and numerous WNBA scouts, eyeing potential future stars like USC’s JuJu Watkins. Despite Watkins’ strong performance, scoring 24 points, the defensive efforts of Sonia Citron stifled her effectiveness, limiting her shooting efficiency.

USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb acknowledged the challenges posed by the Irish guards, stating, «You feel like you’re doing a decent job on Miles, and she goes crazy in the second half.» Gottlieb emphasized the learning opportunity this game provided to her team, «This is a learning experience for the whole team. So much to learn, as far as chemistry and everything.»

The game marked Notre Dame’s first double-digit road win against an Associated Press top-five opponent since 2014, underscoring the team’s potential under Coach Ivey’s leadership. The Irish are set to face more ranked opponents in the coming weeks, continuing their rigorous schedule.

Meanwhile, USC, aiming to refine its strategy, looks ahead to upcoming challenging matchups as it begins its first season in the Big Ten, a move that has increased expectations for the team.