Amber Aniston • December 24, 2024

No. 3 Notre Dame Dominates Loyola Maryland 97-54 in Non-Conference Finale

The No. 3-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball team capped off their non-conference schedule in commanding fashion, defeating Loyola Maryland 97-54 on Sunday afternoon at Purcell Pavilion. With standout performances from All-American point guard Hannah Hidalgo and graduate guard Olivia Miles, the Fighting Irish showcased their offensive firepower and defensive tenacity, improving their record to 10-2. 


 

Hidalgo Leads the Charge 

Hannah Hidalgo led all scorers with 33 points, just two shy of her career high. The freshman point guard also recorded five steals, contributing to Notre Dame’s 20-0 advantage in fast-break points. Her ability to push the tempo and finish in transition proved critical as the Fighting Irish built an early lead. 


Hidalgo’s third-quarter surge included 10 of Notre Dame’s first 12 points, propelling the team to a 12-0 run that effectively put the game out of reach. Her scoring output marked the fourth time this season she surpassed the 30-point mark, solidifying her as one of the top freshmen in the country. 


 


Miles Records Historic Triple-Double 

Olivia Miles added another milestone to her illustrious career, recording her fifth career triple-double and second of the season. She finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, becoming the only player in the nation averaging at least 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists per game. 


Miles’s playmaking was on full display, as she dazzled the crowd with a no-look underhand pass to Liatu King during a first-quarter run. In the third quarter, she connected with Hidalgo through her legs for a layup, showcasing her creativity and court vision. Miles now sits just one triple-double shy of tying the ACC record, a testament to her all-around dominance. 


 


Dominance in the Paint 

Notre Dame’s post presence was another key factor in the victory. Liatu King recorded her seventh double-double of the season, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Fighting Irish outscored the Greyhounds 44-18 in the paint, asserting their physicality on both ends of the floor. 


Forward Liza Karlen contributed 15 points and seven rebounds in her best performance of the season. After missing the start of the year with a foot injury, Karlen showcased her versatility with two assists, two steals, and two blocks, providing a spark in the second quarter when Notre Dame’s offense briefly stalled. 


 


Key Moments 

Notre Dame set the tone early, responding to an initial Loyola Maryland basket with a 13-0 run. The stretch included five assists on six made field goals, highlighting the team’s unselfish play. Hidalgo and King combined for 12 points during the run, giving the Irish a double-digit lead midway through the first quarter. 


After building a 26-9 lead at the end of the first, Notre Dame’s offense slowed in the second quarter, scoring just 16 points on 6-of-17 shooting. Despite the lull, the defense held firm, limiting Loyola Maryland to 15 points and maintaining an 18-point halftime advantage. 


The third quarter saw the Fighting Irish explode for a 12-0 run, fueled by Hidalgo’s hot hand and Miles’s playmaking. By the end of the period, Notre Dame led by 35 points, their largest margin of the game. 


 


Three-Point Efficiency 

Notre Dame entered the game as the nation’s top three-point shooting team, and they lived up to that reputation by connecting on 10-of-20 attempts from beyond the arc. Hidalgo and Miles each hit multiple threes, while reserve guard Emma Risch added two late in the game. 


Since their season-opening loss to Mercyhurst, where they shot just 3-of-17 from deep, the Fighting Irish have significantly improved their perimeter efficiency, now shooting 45.5% on the season. 


 


Loyola Maryland’s Struggles 

For the Greyhounds, Laura Salmeron led the way with 23 points, hitting several contested shots to keep her team competitive in spurts. However, Loyola Maryland struggled to keep pace with Notre Dame’s athleticism and depth, shooting just 37% from the field and committing 17 turnovers. 


After being outscored 26-9 in the first quarter, the Greyhounds showed resilience by matching Notre Dame’s intensity in the second, trailing by only one point in the quarter. Still, their inability to contain Hidalgo and Miles proved too much to overcome. 


 


Looking Ahead 

Notre Dame’s victory serves as a strong conclusion to their non-conference schedule as they turn their focus to ACC play. The Fighting Irish will host Virginia on December 29 at Purcell Pavilion, where they aim to build on their recent success and continue their push toward a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. 


For Loyola Maryland, the loss drops them to 5-5 on the season. The Greyhounds will return to action on December 30 when they host Haverford, hoping to rebound as they prepare for the heart of their conference schedule. 


 

A Dominant Display 

Notre Dame’s 97-54 victory over Loyola Maryland was a showcase of their depth, talent, and versatility. With Hidalgo and Miles leading the way, the Fighting Irish demonstrated why they are one of the nation’s top teams. Their ability to excel in transition, dominate the paint, and connect from beyond the arc makes them a formidable contender as conference play begins. 


As the season progresses, Notre Dame’s balanced attack and defensive intensity will be critical to their pursuit of an ACC title and deep NCAA Tournament run. For now, the Fighting Irish can take pride in a strong finish to their non-conference schedule and the momentum they carry into ACC competition. 

By Angelie Te July 31, 2026
Why Sports Video Production Matters in the World of 2026 Sports video production in 2026 covers far more than pressing record and capturing the final score. It spans live game broadcasts, tournament streaming, vertical social clips, recruiting reels, and sponsor activation content for schools, teams, leagues, and athletics organizations at every level. The job of a modern sports producer is to build year-round storylines, ensure sponsor visibility across every screen, and produce scout-ready assets that athletes and families can use for years. Consider the scale: global sports rights spending exceeded $67 billion in 2026 , and LiveU deployed 1,700 units for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to connect venues across North America. This industry momentum reaches every stage of competition, from youth travel tournaments to college showcases. Sports video production is considered challenging due to unpredictable action and lack of second takes-which is exactly why professional planning matters. The real goal of sports video production isn't just documenting what happened. It's creating content that works long after the final whistle.  East Coast Sports Live helps programs of all sizes compete with pro-level production quality without needing an in-house broadcast team. This article walks you through planning, filming, packaging, and distributing sports content designed to satisfy athletes, fans, and sponsors.
Tony Romo wearing a broadcast headset during a CBS Sports football game broadcast.
By Amber Aniston July 31, 2026
CBS placed Tony Romo on leave following his Wisconsin arrest, elevating J.J. Watt to its lead NFL broadcast team as the season approaches.
Harrison Bader in Yankees uniform during a game with a focused expression in a stadium.
By Amber Aniston July 31, 2026
Harrison Bader's season-ending scooter crash has raised questions about MLB contract rules, high-risk activities, and what comes next for the Giants outfielder.
By Amber Aniston July 31, 2026
Todd Bowles is keeping the Buccaneers focused on football despite Baker Mayfield's contract dispute and Vita Vea's trade request entering training camp.
FOOTBALL
By Amber Aniston July 31, 2026
FIFA's World Cup investment proposal has sparked opposition from major football confederations, with governance and transparency emerging as the central issues.
football player
By Amber Aniston July 30, 2026
Build a stronger 2026 fantasy football roster by understanding why drafting running backs early can create flexibility and long-term value in half-PPR leagues.
By Amber Aniston July 30, 2026
One of the most significant pieces of legislation in the history of college athletics is facing an uncertain future. The proposed Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) was designed to create a nationwide framework for regulating name, image and likeness (NIL), transfer rules, revenue sharing, and athlete eligibility. However, with the Big Ten and SEC withholding their formal support, lawmakers are running out of time to move the bipartisan bill through Congress before the Senate's August recess. The legislation has been viewed by many athletic directors and conference commissioners as the best opportunity to restore stability to an increasingly fragmented college sports landscape. But ongoing disagreements over several key provisions have placed its future in jeopardy. Why the Protect College Sports Act Matters College athletics has undergone dramatic changes over the past several years. NIL compensation, the transfer portal, athlete revenue sharing, and repeated court rulings have fundamentally altered how schools recruit, retain, and compensate student-athletes. The Protect College Sports Act was introduced to establish consistent national standards rather than leaving schools to navigate a patchwork of state laws and ongoing legal challenges. Among its major goals are: Creating uniform NIL regulations nationwide Standardizing transfer portal rules Establishing revenue-sharing guidelines Providing five years of athlete eligibility Giving conferences greater authority to enforce regulations Offering additional legal protections related to antitrust challenges Supporters believe the legislation could bring much-needed structure to college athletics after years of uncertainty. Why the Big Ten and SEC Have Not Signed Off Despite generally supporting federal legislation, the two most powerful conferences remain unwilling to endorse the current version of the bill. Conference leaders say several important issues remain unresolved, particularly language involving so-called "associated entities." These include corporate sponsors, multimedia rights partners, and outside organizations that could potentially direct additional compensation to athletes outside the proposed revenue-sharing cap. Big Ten and SEC officials argue that unless those loopholes are addressed, schools could effectively bypass spending limits, undermining the legislation's purpose.  Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork summarized the conferences' position simply: "We need a ceiling." Revenue-Sharing Cap Remains the Biggest Obstacle Much of the debate centers on how athlete compensation would be limited. Current negotiations include a structure featuring: $21.3 million base revenue-sharing cap Approximately $20–22.5 million additional retention pool Up to $5 million designated for women's athletics Conference leaders support increasing athlete compensation but insist those figures must be paired with a truly enforceable hard cap. Without stronger safeguards, administrators worry schools could continue funneling money through outside partnerships while technically remaining under the cap. Time Is Becoming the Biggest Challenge Even if negotiators reach an agreement, Congress faces a rapidly approaching deadline. The Senate is scheduled to begin its month-long recess on August 7 , leaving only a narrow window for lawmakers to advance the legislation. Senate staff members have publicly acknowledged that every passing day reduces the likelihood of securing a floor vote before lawmakers leave Washington. Conference representatives and congressional staff have continued negotiating revised language, but formal approval from the Big Ten and SEC has yet to arrive. Lawmakers Say Major Concessions Have Already Been Made Congressional leaders argue they have significantly revised the proposal in response to conference concerns. According to reports included in the source material, lawmakers agreed to numerous requested changes, including: Stronger recruiting and tampering provisions Modified revenue-sharing language Changes involving conference governance Adjustments affecting NIL oversight Additional flexibility regarding institutional NIL agreements Despite those revisions, conference officials maintain they still need to review final legal language before committing their support. Conference Leaders Say They Need More Certainty Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti has repeatedly emphasized that conference officials cannot endorse language they have not fully reviewed. Rather than rejecting the legislation outright, Petitti has described the negotiations as an effort to ensure the final bill accomplishes its intended purpose. Conference officials also continue seeking broader antitrust protections and greater certainty regarding how future enforcement would work under the proposed law. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has similarly stated in recent weeks that congressional legislation remains the preferred outcome but acknowledged the conference has discussed alternative governance models if federal action ultimately fails. Alternative Plans Already Being Discussed If Congress cannot pass the Protect College Sports Act, college athletics may move toward alternative solutions. Among the possibilities currently under discussion are: Plan B Revising the current College Sports Commission structure Negotiating updated revenue-sharing rules among the Power Four conferences Creating stronger conference-led enforcement mechanisms Plan C A self-governance model led by the major conferences Independent enforcement of recruiting, NIL, and compensation rules Greater conference autonomy outside the existing NCAA structure Neither option is considered ideal by conference leaders, who continue describing federal legislation as the preferred long-term solution. Industry Remains Divided Not every stakeholder agrees with the conferences' position. Executives representing multimedia rights companies argue that legitimate endorsement agreements should not automatically count against athlete compensation limits. Others believe an overly restrictive cap could unintentionally reduce genuine commercial opportunities for student-athletes who have built valuable personal brands. That disagreement highlights the broader challenge facing lawmakers: balancing competitive fairness with athletes' growing opportunities to profit from their name, image, and likeness. What's Next? Negotiations between congressional leaders, the White House, and conference representatives remain ongoing. According to the latest reports, lawmakers submitted what has been described as a "best and final" revised version of the legislation to the Big Ten and SEC while asking both conferences to make their decision quickly. Whether that will be enough to secure their support remains unclear. For now, the Protect College Sports Act remains alive—but time is quickly becoming its biggest opponent. If an agreement cannot be reached before Congress begins its August recess, the effort to establish national standards for college athletics could be delayed for months, leaving schools, athletes, conferences, and fans to continue navigating one of the most uncertain periods in the history of collegiate sports.
By Angelie Te July 30, 2026
This article is a practical guide to sports sponsorship activation for brands, schools, athletic programs, and event organizers working around live sports coverage. Whether you run a booster club, manage athletic marketing for a district, or represent a company looking at sponsorship opportunities, the strategies here focus on live and streamed sports events rather than generic sponsorship theory. Target readers: brand marketers, athletic directors, booster clubs, school communications teams, and event organizers planning sponsor integration around streamed or televised games.
More Posts