SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame women’s basketball officially tips off the 2025-26 campaign on Wednesday, and the No. 15 Irish play host to FDU (0-1) at Purcell Pavilion. The Knights opened their season on Monday at Purdue and suffered a 67-48 loss.
Notre Dame is coming off a 119-54 exhibition drubbing of Purdue Northwest on Thursday. Hannah Hidalgo led the way for the Irish with 39 points, while Cassandre Prosper showed she is ready to take the next step as a senior leader on the team. Prosper went 12-13 from the floor and finished with 27 points. All five Irish starters — Hidalgo, Prosper, KK Bransford, Vanessa de Jesus and Gisela Sanchez — scored in double-figures. The Irish defense was a menace against the Pride, notching 53 turnovers and 22 steals on the night.
Last season, Notre Dame finished 28-6 and earned a fourth consecutive trip to the Sweet 16. The Irish notched three top-five victories — No. 2 UConn, No. 3 USC and No. 4 Texas — and won a share of the ACC regular season title.
Wednesday’s clash will be the first meeting between Notre Dame and FDU. The game tips off on ACCNX at 7 p.m. Tyler Reidy and Molly O’Malley will be on the call from Purcell Pavilion.
Hannah Hidalgo