SOUTH BEND, INDIANA — In their first matchup in South Bend since 2005, it was the Notre Dame Fighting Irish that pulled the win against the USC Trojans in the final seconds, with the nation’s leading scorer in Hannah Hidalgo nailing a jumpshot, securing the 61-59 victory for the Fighting Irish.
Turnovers acted as the vendetta for the Women of Troy in South Bend, as by the end of regulation, they had committed a team total of 21 turnovers and had committed 11 by halftime. The first half started slowly once more for the Trojans as they had difficulty finding an early groove, but despite the early turnovers, USC would shoot 54% from the floor.
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Freshman Jazzy Davidson led the charge offensively for the Women of Troy in the first half with 9 points on 4-8 shooting, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. The Women of Troy would come out guns ablazing as soon as the second half started, as back-to-back three pointers from Kara Dunn extended the Trojans’ lead 39-35 with 7:20 to go in the 3rd.
Shortly after that, the Fighting Irish would respond, as led by the second-half heroics of Hidalgo, Notre Dame would go on a 10-0 run. Hidalgo, who entered this game averaging 29 points a game, the most in the nation, would shoot 4-7 from the floor, including that game-winning shot with one second remaining to put the game away.
Hidalgo would finish her night notching 22 points on 8-18 shooting and 7 assists.
In terms of offense for the Women of Troy, it was Dunn leading the team in scoring with 21 points on 8-11, plus going 4-5 from beyond the arc and 5 rebounds.
With this loss, the Women of Troy head back home to the Galen Center with a 3-2 record as they set their sights on the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.
