Notre Dame’s NCAA Tournament run ends with a 70-52 Elite 8 loss to UConn
The Irish put up a better fight, but still can't take down UConn in the Elite 8
Mar 29, 2026; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) drives to the basket as Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Cassandre Prosper (8) defends during the first half at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images The college basketball season has officially ended for the Notre Dame Women’s team after falling to the No. 1 ranked UConn Huskies 70-52 in an Elite 8 matchup.
The Irish played their old rival much better than they did earlier in the season, but the Huskies were just too much — and showed why they’re unbeaten and the best team in women’s basketball this season. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but the high level that the Irish were playing at during this tourney run, if they had been in any other region — perhaps these two team would have met in the Final Four. Perhaps, but that wasn’t the case, and Niele Ivey and her Irish squad will have to go to work to start getting ready for next season.
Irish Fall to No. 1 Huskies in Elite Eight FORT WORTH, Texas – Notre Dame’s magical NCAA Tournament run came to an end in the Elite Eight on Sunday inside Dickies Arena, falling to top-seeded UConn by a score of 70-52. The Fighting Irish ended the season with a record of 25-11 and made it to an NCAA Tournament Regional Final for the first time since 2019.
Hannah Hidalgo led the Irish with 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals, completing one of the greatest seasons by an individual in NCAA history. The junior set the ACC and Notre Dame record for points in a season with 909 and became the only player in NCAA history on the men’s or women’s side to record over 200 steals in a season (202). HOW IT HAPPENED The Irish held a 5-4 lead midway through the first frame, as Cassandre Prosper made the opening layup and Vanessa de Jesus knocked down a shot from beyond the arc to give them the early lead.