GRAND LARCENY IN SOUTH BEND: Hidalgo Steals Everything (Including the Record Book)
Police were called to Purcell Pavilion on Sunday evening to investigate reports of a robbery in progress. Turns out, it was just Hannah Hidalgo playing basketball.
In what can only be described as "basketball malpractice" against the poor Bellarmine Knights, No. 20 Notre Dame won by a score that looks like a typo: 110-38.
That is not a basketball score. That is a temperature in Arizona.
The Hannah Hidalgo Experience: Now with More Theft!
Hannah Hidalgo decided that scoring points was boring, so she decided to do literally everything else, too.
In just 22 minutes (yes, she barely played half the game), the junior dropped a stat line that would make a video game console overheat:
30 Points (on 13-of-17 shooting, because missing is for mortals)
13 Steals (I’m sorry, what?)
10 Assists (She shares!)
5 Rebounds
That is a 30-point triple-double, folks. It’s the first one in Notre Dame history.
She also broke the program record for career 30-point games (12), passing legend Arike Ogunbowale. At this rate, Hidalgo is going to own every record in the book by the time she graduates, including "Most Gatorade Consumed."
The Accomplices
Hidalgo wasn’t the only one having fun. Cassandre Prosper decided to be a problem, dropping 20 points and 14 rebounds for her fourth straight 20-point game.
And shoutout to Gisela Sanchez (no relation to Sanchez Sideline Report, but we appreciate the branding), who posted 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Six Irish players hit double figures. Bellarmine, meanwhile, scored 38 points total.
The Crime Scene Stats
28 Steals: As a team, Notre Dame swiped the ball 28 times. Bellarmine basically spent the evening handing the ball to someone in a green jersey.
2 Assists Allowed: The Irish defense allowed Bellarmine to record two assists. Two. In 40 minutes. That is just rude.
59-20: That was the halftime score. The game was effectively over before the popcorn was fresh.
The Sanchez Verdict
Notre Dame improves to 9-2 and heads into the Christmas break on a high note. As for Hannah Hidalgo, we recommend that opposing teams just mail her the ball before the game starts. It saves everyone the trouble of her taking it from them.
Up Next: The Irish take a break for Christmas (hopefully Santa brings Bellarmine an ice pack) and return Monday, Dec. 29, to host Pitt.
