Just too sweet - Daily Southtown

NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NCAA TOURNAMENT

Just too sweet

Hidalgo scores 21 points, Miles plays despite injury as Irish rout Michigan to make it to 4th consecutive Sweet Sixteen

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Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame celebrates a basket against Michigan in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament on Sunday. Michael Reaves/Getty

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Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles advances the ball as Michigan guard Mila Holloway, left, defends. John Mersits/AP

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By Curt Rallo Associated Press

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Hannah Hidalgo scored 21 points and No. 3 seed Notre Dame routed No. 6 seed Michigan 76-55 in the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

Notre Dame advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive season. Olivia Miles, who suffered an ankle injury in Notre Dame’s 106-54 victory against Stephen F. Austin in the first round, started for the Fighting Irish. She had eight points, five assists and four rebounds.

Liatu King turned in a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Sonia Citron scored 16 points for Notre Dame.

Notre Dame (28-5) opened up with an 11-2 run and stormed to a 32-12 lead after the first quarter. The Fighting Irish looked like the team that dispatched Texas, Southern California, UConn and Duke in the regular-season rather than the team that dropped three of its last five regular-season games, hitting 12 of their first 16 shots. Michigan (23-11) started out 1-of-7 from the field.

Notre Dame held Michighan to a season-low 55 points. The Wolverines’ previous low was 58 points in losses to USC and Michigan State. Michigan entered the game averaging 78.2 points a game.

A pair of freshmen led Michigan. Olivia Olson scored 20 points and Syla Swords scored 17 points.