Hannah Hidalgo returns to lead No. 3 Notre Dame women past SMU, 88-64

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Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo (3) drives against SMU guard Ella Brow (5) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo (3) shoots against SMU in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles celebrates after a basket against SMU in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles, right, looks to shoot against SMU guard Nya Robertson, left, in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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SMU center Jessica Peterson (35) looks to pass the ball over Notre Dame forward Liza Karlen (32) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Notre Dame forward Liza Karlen (32) and SMU forward Kaysia Woods (4) go up for a rebound in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Notre Dame guard Cassandre Prosper, right, is fouled by SMU guard Kylie Marshall (22) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo, right, reaches for the ball against SMU guard Nya Robertson, left, in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Notre Dame forward Kate Koval (13) looks to shoot against SMU center Jessica Peterson, left, in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in South Bend, Ind., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

By CURT RALLO

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Hannah Hidalgo had 23 points and 10 rebounds in her return from an ankle injury that sidelined her two games to help No. 3 Notre Dame rout SMU 88-64 on Sunday night.

Hidalgo also had five steals and three assists for Notre Dame (16-2, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). Olivia Miles had 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Zanai Jones led SMU (10-9, 2-4) with 20 points.

Notre Dame missed nine of its first 11 shots and trailed 12-9. After that, the Fighting Irish hit 10 of their next 14 and led 32-15 lead midway through the second quarter.

Takeaways

Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish forced 20 turnovers and had a 24-7 advantage in fast-break points.

SMU: The Mustangs were outrebounded 46-35 and gave up 17 offensive rebounds.

Key moment

Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles returned after suffering an apparent ankle injury.

Key stat

Notre Dame leads the nation in 3-point shooting (42.9%), but the Fighting Irish were 2 of 18 against SMU.

Up next

Both teams are back in action Thursday night. SMU hosts Duke, and the Fighting Irish are at Boston College.

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