No. 19 Notre Dame women dominate Morehead State in home return

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The No. 19 Notre Dame women’s basketball team made its return to Purcell Pavilion count.

Back home for the first time in more than two weeks, the Irish cruised past Morehead State 97-48 on Thursday night. The win extended Notre Dame’s nonconference home winning streak to 26 games. Notre Dame improved to 7-2 on the season and stayed perfect at home at 6-0.

Hannah Hidalgo once again led the way. The sophomore finished with a game-high 26 points, a season-high 11 rebounds, six steals, three assists and one block. She filled the stat sheet and set the tone from start to finish.

Cassandre Prosper also had a night to remember. The junior recorded the first double-double of her career with 20 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. She added three steals in the win.

Vanessa de Jesus scored 16 points and handed out five assists. She also led the Irish from beyond the arc.

Notre Dame was sharp from three-point range, knocking down 13 shots from deep. That total is tied for the fourth most in program history. De Jesus hit four 3-pointers, while Gisela Sanchez added three.

Head coach Niele Ivey praised her team’s chemistry after the game.

“This is a really special group,” Ivey said. “They bring me so much joy. Watching them maximize their potential, watching them grow together and knowing they are a close-knit group that is really for each other — that’s what I love most about this team.”

Notre Dame will head back on the road next. The Irish travel to Virginia to face James Madison on Sunday.