The Thief on the Court: Hannah Hidalgo Nets NCAA-Record 16 Steals

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In a performance that combined relentless hustle with defensive genius, Notre Dame junior point guard Hannah Hidalgo rewrote the NCAA record books in a dominant victory against the Akron Zips. While her offensive output was spectacular, it was her unprecedented night of thievery that shocked the sports world.

Record-Breaking Numbers

Hidalgo didn’t just break the record; she took it with an iron grip.

16 Steals: This figure is a new NCAA Division I single-game record, surpassing the previous mark held by multiple players, most recently by Old Dominion’s Ticha Penicheiro in 1998.
44 Points: She also set a new Notre Dame program record for points in a single game, making her performance one of the most statistically dominant two-way showings in college basketball history.
Dominant Efficiency: Hidalgo reached these staggering numbers in just 28 minutes of play, shooting 16-of-25 from the field and adding 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

The “Film Junkie” in Action

Hidalgo’s defense isn’t based solely on speed or athleticism; it’s a calculated, cerebral attack. Praised for her high basketball IQ and intensity, her father and former high school coach have described her approach as having a constant “checklist” for personal improvement.

Defensive Catalyst: Her 16 steals were the primary engine for the No. 18 Fighting Irish’s decisive 85-58 win. Notre Dame recorded a stunning 30 total steals in the game, forcing 38 turnovers from Akron, which translated directly to 41 points off turnovers for the Irish.
The Second Coming: Already a two-time All-American and the reigning ACC Player and Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, Hidalgo has been heralded as the potential face of the next generation of women’s basketball stars, following in the footsteps of players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

Her record-setting performance solidified her reputation as one of the most tenacious and effective defensive players in the nation, proving that a relentless pursuit of the ball can be as devastating as any offensive weapon.