Notre Dame Annihilates Stanford in Historic 49-Point Beatdown – Olivia Miles Shines as Future WNBA Star!

In a commanding display, the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish overwhelmed the Stanford Cardinal with a 96-47 victory on Thursday night at Purcell Pavilion. This 49-point margin marks the most lopsided defeat in Stanford's storied history, surpassing their previous worst loss of 45 points to Long Beach State in 1983.

The Irish's defense was particularly stifling, forcing 29 turnovers and converting them into 45 points. Offensively, Notre Dame was efficient, shooting 55% from the field and 53% from beyond the arc. This victory extends Notre Dame's record to 20-2 overall and 11-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), solidifying their top position in the standings. The team has been on an impressive run, showcasing their dominance in recent games.

After the game, Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey highlighted the significance of the win, calling it a "big statement" and emphasizing that the team was able to "impose their will" on Stanford. The performance demonstrated the Irish's ability to dictate the tempo and control both ends of the floor, further cementing their status as one of the top teams in the nation.

Notre Dame's success this season has been fueled by one of the most electrifying backcourts in women's college basketball. Led by the dynamic duo of Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo, the Fighting Irish boast a backcourt that combines speed, playmaking, and defensive tenacity, making them a nightmare for opposing teams.

Olivia Miles, Point Guard - Notre Dame

Olivia Miles has increasingly looked like a top WNBA Draft prospect, thanks to her elite court vision, scoring ability, and leadership. After missing the NCAA Tournament last year due to injury, the senior guard has returned with a vengeance. She’s a true floor general, capable of controlling the pace of the game while also creating scoring opportunities for her teammates. With her size, skill, and high basketball IQ, Miles is drawing comparisons to some of the best guards to come out of college basketball, including WNBA superstar Chelsea Gray, widely known as the "Point Gawd" for her exceptional playmaking and clutch performances.

While Miles orchestrates the offense, freshman standout Hannah Hidalgo has been a revelation on both ends of the floor. She leads the ACC in steals and has a relentless defensive motor that disrupts opponents' game plans. Offensively, Hidalgo has shown an ability to score at all three levels, making her the perfect complement to Miles in the backcourt. After the game, Hidalgo commented on her defensive contribution, saying, "I know I'm that defensive intensity for my teammates, I know they feed off of that, I know that's what they need."

Notre Dame's Liatu King takes a shot against Stanford Cardinal

Another key contributor has been Liatu King, the often unsung hero. King's defensive presence was crucial in the victory over Stanford, as she led the team with steals, consistently disrupting the Cardinal’s offensive rhythm. Her ability to apply pressure and create turnovers was instrumental in Notre Dame's defensive dominance, reinforcing her importance to the squad. 

A transfer from Pittsburgh, King is often quiet and unassuming off the court, but her on-court intensity and ability to impact the game defensively have made her an invaluable asset for the Fighting Irish. King played through the game wearing a protective face mask, which she will likely have to wear for the next few weeks. Despite the added challenge, she delivered a stellar defensive performance. Coach Ivey was highly complimentary of King, stating, "She just does so many things, she does all the dirty work and she had five steals. I thought she was great defensively."

Stanford's leading scorer, Nunu Agara, who averages 17 points and 8 rebounds per game, left the game in the first quarter due to injury and did not return, which significantly impacted the Cardinal's performance. Without Agara on the floor, the team looked lost, struggling to generate consistent offense and failing to respond to Notre Dame's relentless pressure. Stanford head coach Kate Paye looked on helplessly from the sideline as she had no answer to stem the bleeding. The Cardinal will need to address their fragility moving forward if they hope to remain competitive at the highest level.

Looking ahead, Notre Dame aims to maintain their unbeaten streak in ACC play as they host No. 21 California on Sunday. With Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo leading the charge, alongside the defensive efforts of Liatu King, the Fighting Irish continue to prove why they are a legitimate national title contender and a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.