A leaping steal. Another jump to save it. And much, much more from Hannah Hidalgo.
The Notre Dame senior showed why she is a preseason All-American in the opening game of the women's college basketball season Sunday in Rome. Hidalgo had 32 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals as the No. 13 Fighting Irish beat Villanova 99-75.
Notre Dame also won the men's game at the Eternal City Tip-Off, which included an audience with Villanova alumnus Pope Leo XIV for both teams and their fans Saturday.
"We were locked in watching [the men], and they gave us a great good luck," Notre Dame women's coach Niele Ivey said. "What's better than one win is two.
"The experience of being overseas, it felt like an NCAA game. The matchup, the stage, the lights, it felt very much like we were in March."
In the first half, Hidalgo leaped up like an NFL safety to intercept a Villanova pass and then had to jump again out of bounds to save it before completing the turnover by passing to a teammate.
"It's such a blessing," Hidalgo said. "Just to be here in Rome, we were able to go to the Vatican, see the Pope and do all these things."
Sophomore Leah Macy had 27 points in her Notre Dame debut after missing her freshman year because of a knee injury suffered in high school.
Jasmine Bascoe led Villanova with 26 points but was 1-for-7 from 3-point range.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
