“Hailey Van Lith simply cannot cover Hannah Hidalgo”: College hoops fans react despite TCU getting the better of Notre Dame 

Basketball fans raved about Hannah Hidalgo’s stellar performance against Hailey Van Lith even though TCU secured a 76-68 victory over Notre Dame in the Cayman Islands Classic at the John Gray Gymnasium on Friday.

While Hailey Van Lith caught fire in the fourth quarter, scoring the bulk of her 21 points during that period, it was Hidalgo’s all-around effort that drew widespread acclaim. The sophomore guard recorded 27 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 40 minutes, leading the Fighting Irish and impressing fans across social media.

The 5-foot-6 Hidalgo went toe-to-toe with Van Lith, scoring 14 of Notre Dame’s 27 points by the midpoint of the second half.

Fans on X (formerly Twitter) enthusiastically praised her play:

“Hannah Hidalgo with the TOUGH finish!” posted @FloCollegeHoops.

“Why Hannah Hidalgo doing Hailey Van Lith like that,” tweeted @Notyoublockedm1.

“Hannah Hidalgo is different, my goodness 🔥,” said @HandsOffAssata.

More reactions followed:

“Hailey Van Lith simply cannot cover Hannah Hidalgo,” remarked @CelebrityPaul.

“Amazing game!! Hannah Hidalgo is explosive and makes the entire team better around her. Sedona Prince impacts the game in multiple ways but tonight, she needs to score it more. Two great teams!” tweeted @TalbyJustus.

“Hannah Hidalgo is picking TCU apart, they need to go to Sedona Prince asap 🙄,” wrote @DLoThaReal.

Hidalgo finished the game shooting 9-22 from the field, 1-4 from beyond the arc and 8-10 from the free-throw line. However, missed layups and three-point attempts in the fourth quarter proved costly.

Notre Dame Collapses Against TCU

The Fighting Irish (5-1) led by 14 points at a point and entered the fourth quarter with an 11-point advantage. However, head coach Niele Ivey’s team faltered in the final period, managing just six points, while the Horned Frogs (7-0) capitalized on one of their best quarters of the season to secure the win.

Notre Dame came into the game riding high after a statement victory over then-No. 3 USC (now ranked No. 6), where they showcased dominant defense and limited star JuJu Watkins. But against TCU, despite Hidalgo’s standout effort, the Irish struggled down the stretch.

Other key contributors included Olivia Miles, who had 16 points (7-14 FG, 2-7 3PT), four rebounds, and four assists and Sonia Citron, who added 14 points (6-14 FG, 2-3 3PT), two rebounds, and two assists.

However, Kate Koval endured a rare off-night, going scoreless on nine attempts, committing two turnovers and fouling out with five fouls, though she contributed six rebounds, two blocks and two assists.

Notre Dame continues its run in the Cayman Islands Classic, facing Utah (5-2) on Saturday. The Utes are coming off a narrow 66-62 loss to Mississippi State in their first game of the tournament.