SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — No. 21 Cal was blown out by Notre Dame 91-52 in South Bend on Sunday as the Irish stretched their winning streak to 16 games and the Bears suffered their worst loss of the season.
Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo, one of the top candidates for the Naismith Player of the Year Award, had 24 points and five assists. Lulu Twidale scored 14 points for Cal (19-6, 7-5 Atlantic Coast Conference).
The Bears’ deficit ballooned to double digits early in the second quarter, then Notre Dame went on an 11-2 run over the last 5:55 before halftime to make it a 44-23 game at the break. Cal struggled through a 1-for-9 shooting stretch and committed four turnovers in that stretch.
Olivia Miles added 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Notre Dame (21-2 overall, 12–0). Sonia Citron chipped in 16 points for the Irish, while Marta Suarez and Ugonne Onyiah each scored 10 for Cal.
The loss completes a tough road weekend for the Bears, who lost Thursday at unranked Louisville and now risk falling out of the Top 25. They sit eighth in the ACC with three weekends left in conference play.
Takeaways
Notre Dame: The Irish continue to dominate the ACC, picking up their 15th straight regular-season conference win, dating to last season.
Cal: The Bears shot 32%, including 8 for 28 from 3-point range. They turned the ball over 21 times.
Key moment
Hannah Hidalgo rebounded a missed Cal shot despite being knocked off balance, raced down court and swished a step-back 3-pointer, giving Notre Dame a 59-33 lead in the third quarter.
Key stat
Notre Dame turned seven offensive rebounds into a 15-0 advantage in second-chance points in the first half.
Up next
Cal hosts Boston College on Thursday. Notre Dame is at Pittsburgh, also on Thursday.