On March 23, 2026, the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, was buzzing with anticipation as the Ohio State Buckeyes hosted the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament. It was a high-stakes clash: Notre Dame, one of the hottest teams in the country, was looking to punch its ticket to a fifth consecutive Sweet Sixteen, while Ohio State aimed to finally break its frustrating streak of home exits in March Madness. The matchup delivered drama, momentum swings, and individual brilliance, but when the final horn sounded, Notre Dame emerged victorious, 83-73, extending its postseason run and sending the Buckeyes home heartbroken for a third straight year.
Ohio State wasted no time firing up its home crowd, seizing an early 11-0 lead fueled by All-American guard Jaloni Cambridge. Cambridge, who would go on to score a staggering 41 points, set the tone with seven quick points, forcing Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey to call a timeout less than two minutes into the contest. The Buckeyes’ full-court pressure rattled the Irish at first, and the Schottenstein Center roared with every steal and bucket. But Notre Dame, showing the poise of a tournament-tested squad, refused to let the deficit balloon. Over the next ten minutes, the Irish methodically chipped away, outscoring Ohio State 26-13 and grabbing a two-point lead early in the second quarter.
By halftime, Notre Dame had flipped the script entirely, heading into the locker room with a 43-35 advantage. The turnaround was anchored by the relentless play of All-American guard Hannah Hidalgo. According to reports, Hidalgo “connected on four of her final eight shot attempts in the first half, taking her into the locker room with 10 points, four rebounds and three steals.” Her ability to break the press, create turnovers, and attack the rim gave the Irish a crucial edge as the momentum swung their way.
But Ohio State wasn’t done. After Notre Dame built a lead as large as 13 points in the third quarter, Cambridge caught fire again, erupting for 12 points in the period, including a personal 6-0 run that trimmed the deficit to just one. Every time the Irish threatened to pull away, Cambridge answered back, draining deep threes and slashing to the basket with fearless drives. Her 41-point outburst was nothing short of spectacular—she knocked down multiple three-pointers, converted at the free throw line, and kept the Buckeyes in striking distance until the final minutes. “Incredible considering Ohio State has 73 total points,” one observer noted, marveling at her performance.
The game’s intensity was matched by its physicality and controversy. Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff grew visibly frustrated with the officiating in the first half, voicing his displeasure over a missed carry, a disputed shooting foul, and a no-call on the Buckeyes’ final possession before the break. The home fans echoed his sentiments, showering the officials with boos as they exited the court at halftime. The tension underscored just how much was at stake for a program desperate to advance past the second round on its own floor.
Notre Dame, however, thrived under pressure. Known for their own defensive tenacity, the Irish flipped the script on Ohio State, a team that entered the contest forcing more than 21 turnovers per game. Instead, it was Notre Dame that forced 21 Buckeye miscues while only committing 15 of their own. Hidalgo, who led the nation with 5.5 steals per game, delivered a defensive masterclass, finishing with eight steals to go along with her near-triple-double: 26 points, 13 rebounds, and those eight takeaways. Her knack for reading passing lanes and turning defense into offense repeatedly stymied Ohio State’s comeback efforts.
The fourth quarter saw Notre Dame methodically manage its lead, answering every Buckeye surge with clutch free throws, timely rebounds, and smart possessions. Hidalgo’s leadership was on full display as she drew fouls, calmly knocked down free throws, and orchestrated the Irish offense. When she fouled out in the game’s waning moments, she hugged every teammate on the bench, a testament to the unity and spirit that has defined this Notre Dame squad all season. Meanwhile, Cambridge continued to battle, hitting late threes and free throws to keep Ohio State’s hopes alive, but the gap proved insurmountable.
Other Irish contributors stepped up in key moments as well. Vanessa De Jesus hit a pair of critical three-pointers, including one from the corner that brought the crowd—and the Irish bench—to its feet. Prosper and Cowles provided interior toughness, grabbing rebounds and converting in the paint when it mattered most. As the final seconds ticked away, Notre Dame’s bench erupted with joy, knowing they had secured a fifth straight trip to the Sweet Sixteen.
For Ohio State, the loss stung deeply. It marked the third consecutive season that the Buckeyes’ campaign ended at home, just one win short of the Sweet Sixteen, prolonging a March Madness drought dating back to 2023. Despite Cambridge’s heroics and the raucous support of the home fans, the Buckeyes were once again left to ponder what might have been. As one report put it, “Ohio State will watch the second weekend from home, failing to snap a Sweet 16 skid.”
Notre Dame, seeded No. 6 in the Fort Worth 1 Region, now turns its attention to a looming showdown with either No. 2 seed Vanderbilt or No. 7 seed Illinois later this week. With Hidalgo leading the way and the Irish firing on all cylinders, there’s a sense that this team is peaking at just the right time. Their blend of experience, defensive grit, and clutch shot-making makes them a dangerous opponent for anyone left in the bracket.
As for the Buckeyes, the offseason arrives earlier than hoped, but the foundation remains strong. With talents like Cambridge returning and lessons learned from another hard-fought tournament battle, Ohio State will surely be back in the mix next March. For now, though, it’s Notre Dame who marches on, dreams of a deeper run alive and well after an unforgettable night in Columbus.