Notre Dame women’s basketball returns to Purcell Pavilion on Wednesday night to continue conference play against California. The Irish enter the matchup sitting at No. 9 in the ACC, with the regular season beginning to wind down and each game carrying added weight.
Despite now sharing a conference, Notre Dame and Cal have faced each other only five times in women’s basketball, with all meetings coming between 2007 and 2025. The Irish have won every matchup, holding a 5-0 record against the Golden Bears.
The most recent meeting came in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on March 7, 2025, when Notre Dame earned a 73-64 win at a neutral site in Greensboro, N.C. Junior guard Hannah Hidalgo led the Irish with 25 points, helping Notre Dame pull away after a tight first half.
Earlier in the 2024–25 regular season, the Irish held a decisive 91-52 victory over Cal on Feb. 9, 2025. Hidalgo once again led the way, scoring 24 points as Notre Dame took control early and never looked back. This win was the largest margin of victory in this series and underscored the Irish’s ability to dictate tempo on both sides of the court.
Notre Dame’s success against Cal extends beyond last season. The Irish have won all five matchups dating back to the teams’ first competition on Mar. 18, 2007. Cal is still searching for its first win in the series. Across those five games, the Golden Bears have averaged 63.2 points per contest.
While the series has been one-sided, Cal has shown it can remain competitive. In last season’s ACC Tournament matchup, the Golden Bears trailed by just three points at the half before Notre Dame created separation in the third and fourth quarters. Defensive pressure and transition execution proved to be the difference late, as the Irish limited Cal’s scoring opportunities down the stretch.
The matchup has taken on added significance following California’s move to the ACC. With both teams deep in conference play, recent meetings have carried postseason implications, including last season’s tournament game. Notre Dame responded by controlling both matchups during the 2024-25 season, winning each by double digits.
For the Irish, Wednesday’s game provides another chance to establish consistency in conference play. Notre Dame has relied on defensive discipline and balanced scoring to stay competitive throughout the season, and returning home offers an opportunity to build rhythm against a familiar opponent.
Cal enters the contest in the middle of a demanding stretch of ACC games and needs a complete four-quarter effort to challenge the Fighting Irish. In previous meetings, the Golden Bears have struggled when forced into half-court sets and when Notre Dame has been able to turn defense into offense.
Notre Dame looks to take advantage of its home court and extend its unbeaten record against California, as well as extend its 12-7 record.
Tipoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET at Purcell Pavilion.
