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Notre Dame Dominates Fairfield 79-60 in NCAA Opener

3/22/2026

42 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Hannah Hidalgo Dominates

Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame led the Irish to a 79-60 first-round NCAA Tournament win over Fairfield, recording 23 points, nine rebounds, eight steals, and six assists, and setting a Notre Dame NCAA Tournament record.
Iyana Moore and Cassandre Prosper added 18 and 17 points, respectively.
Notre Dame dominated in the paint, outscoring Fairfield 44-22.
The Irish will face No. 3 seed Ohio State on March 23.

History

Historical Context

The NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1982, enhancing competition and viewership, which now generates over $1 billion annually. This change followed the 1983 championship, where NC State, led by Jim Valvano, achieved a historic upset against Houston. The tournament's growth has significantly influenced college athletics, shaping recruitment and funding strategies across the nation.

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Hannah Hidalgo Dominates

Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame led the Irish to a 79-60 first-round NCAA Tournament win over Fairfield, recording 23 points, nine rebounds, eight steals, and six assists, and setting a Notre Dame NCAA Tournament record.
Iyana Moore and Cassandre Prosper added 18 and 17 points, respectively.
Notre Dame dominated in the paint, outscoring Fairfield 44-22.
The Irish will face No. 3 seed Ohio State on March 23.

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