Notre Dame used a strong defensive effort and a dominant third quarter to pull away from Stanford, earning a 78–66 road win Sunday afternoon at Maples Pavilion. The victory marked an important step for the Irish as ACC play intensifies, highlighting their ability to execute in key moments on the road.
The first half was tightly contested, with both teams struggling to find rhythm from beyond the arc. Notre Dame went 0-for-6 from the 3-point range in the first quarter, while Stanford was 0-for-5, making the paint the primary source of offense. Notre Dame managed to hold a narrow, 20-18 lead after the opening frame, as graduate forward Malaya Cowles battled inside and helped keep the Irish in front. By halftime, the Irish carried a slim, 32-30 advantage, with junior guard Hannah Hidalgo leading the charge. Hidalgo scored 16 points before the break, driving aggressively to the basket and drawing fouls as Stanford tried to slow her down.
The third quarter became the turning point of the contest. Notre Dame outscored Stanford 26-22, using a combination of defensive intensity and efficient scoring to create separation. Hidalgo continued her dominant performance, finishing the day with a game-high 37 points, along with nine rebounds, three assists and four steals. Her ability to control tempo, attack the rim and hit timely jumpers allowed the Irish to maintain their momentum as Stanford struggled to respond.
Notre Dame’s balanced attack was on full display. Senior guard Cassandre Prosper contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, while graduate guard Iyana Moore added eight points and five rebounds. Cowles finished with nine points and 11 rebounds, providing a steady presence in the paint on both ends. Graduate guard Vanessa de Jesus added eight points and anchored the perimeter defense, helping the Irish limit Stanford’s clean looks and secure crucial stops during Cardinal runs. Together, this combination of scoring and defense allowed Notre Dame to control the flow of the game through the second half.
Stanford stayed competitive, led by Courtney Ogden, who recorded 23 points and 10 rebounds. Alexandra Eschmeyer added 13 points and seven rebounds, while Chloe Clardy contributed 16 points, including two 3-pointers. Hailee Swain added 10 points. Despite these efforts, the Cardinal struggled to match Notre Dame’s efficiency in the paint, where the Irish outscored Stanford 50-28, and on the boards, with 45 total rebounds compared to Stanford’s 35.
In the fourth quarter, Notre Dame maintained control, outscoring Stanford 20-14 to secure the 12-point victory. The Irish converted 10 of 15 free throws, limited turnovers and executed disciplined half-court sets to close out the win. Stanford’s defense forced some missed opportunities, but Notre Dame’s composure and late-game execution prevented any serious comeback.
The victory improves Notre Dame’s record to 14-8 overall and 6-5 in ACC play, while Stanford is 15-8 overall and 4-6 in league play. The win highlights the Irish’s ability to perform under pressure, particularly on the road, and reflects growing consistency on both offense and defense.
Sunday’s game showed that the Irish can control tempo, dominate the paint and close out a game confidently. As the season progresses, this victory serves as a promising sign for Notre Dame’s prospects in ACC competition, as the Irish head back home to take on Virginia Tech this Thursday.
