Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Defeats Wake Forest 78-54 as Hannah Hidalgo Scores 26 in ACC Statement Win

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball delivered one of their most efficient offensive performances of the ACC season, defeating the Wake Forest Demon Deacons women's basketball 78-54 behind a 26 point effort from Hannah Hidalgo.

Notre Dame shot 52 percent from the field and 44 percent from three point range, separating early and maintaining control through balanced scoring and defensive disruption. The 24 point margin reflects one of the program’s more complete conference performances in recent weeks and provides a timely boost in the ACC standings.

Hidalgo finished 10-20 from the field and 3-4 from beyond the arc while adding 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. The sophomore guard continues to anchor Notre Dame’s perimeter attack and defensive pressure, contributing to 17 team steals and forcing Wake Forest into 21 turnovers.

Cassandre Prosper added 10 points and 5 assists, while Iyana Moore contributed 11 points and 5 rebounds. KK Bransford provided a major lift off the bench with 13 points on 6-7 shooting, reinforcing the team’s depth advantage. As a unit, Notre Dame recorded 31 rebounds, 17 assists, and 8 blocks, illustrating control in transition and rim protection.

Wake Forest struggled to find offensive rhythm, shooting 40 percent overall and just 24 percent from three point range at 5-21. Emily Johns led the Demon Deacons with 13 points off the bench, while Grace Oliver added 9 points and 7 rebounds. Milan Brown and Opal Bird combined for 14 points but were limited by Notre Dame’s perimeter pressure and interior contests.

The statistical gap at the free throw line also proved decisive. Notre Dame converted 8-9 attempts for 89 percent efficiency, compared to Wake Forest’s 11-18 at 61 percent. Combined with a 31-26 rebounding edge and a plus 6 margin in steals, the numbers reflect Notre Dame’s defensive tempo dictating the game’s timeline.

From a broader ACC impact standpoint, this result strengthens Notre Dame’s postseason outlook and reinforces its standing among the conference’s upper tier programs. Efficient shooting above 50 percent and double digit turnover differential are metrics that historically correlate with NCAA Tournament advancement.

Wake Forest, meanwhile, faces adjustments in ball security and perimeter shooting consistency as conference play intensifies. The 21 turnovers represent a season high in ACC competition and will be a focal point in film review.

What this means moving forward is measurable. Notre Dame’s offensive balance and defensive pressure position the team to challenge higher seeded ACC opponents in the closing stretch. The latest update suggests growing cohesion between starters and bench contributors, particularly in late game rotations.

Next steps center on maintaining shooting efficiency and limiting foul trouble as conference play narrows. If Notre Dame sustains this level of execution, the Fighting Irish strengthen their case for improved seeding in both the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament bracket.