Notre Dame Storms Back to Defeat Virginia Tech, 80–70, Snapping Hokies’ Seven-Game Win Streak

Virginia Tech entered the night riding confidence, momentum, and one of the strongest defensive stretches of its season. With Leia Wells back in the starting lineup, the Hokies had won seven straight games and looked poised to continue that run into their next home game on Sunday. But after 40 minutes of physical defense, timely shooting, and relentless pressure, Notre Dame flipped the script, rallying late to secure an 80–70 victory and end Virginia Tech’s winning streak.

From the opening tip, it was clear both teams were prepared for a defensive battle. Passing lanes were crowded, shots were contested, and every possession felt earned. Virginia Tech came out with tight, disciplined defense, forcing Notre Dame into difficult looks and setting the tone early.

Offensively, the Hokies found their spark through Carleigh Wenzel. Using her size in the paint, Wenzel scored early inside before stepping out and knocking down a three-pointer on the next offensive trip. Mackenzie Nelson delivered the assist, and the basket ignited the home crowd. Wenzel’s versatility immediately posed problems for Notre Dame’s defense and gave Virginia Tech an early boost.

Notre Dame responded not with shooting, but with hustle. Hannah Hidalgo and KK Bransford turned defense into offense, recording back-to-back steals that helped swing momentum. The Irish struggled to knock down shots from the field, but they found consistency at the free-throw line. Hidalgo attacked the rim aggressively, earning trips to the stripe and converting every opportunity. Notre Dame opened the game a perfect 4-for-4 from the line, keeping them within striking distance despite shooting struggles.

Samyha provided a spark off the bench, knocking down a three-pointer to give the Irish a much-needed perimeter boost. Still, Virginia Tech answered right back. Wenzel continued her strong start, drilling another three to give her back-to-back makes from deep. At that point, she was 3-for-4 from long range, and the Hokies appeared firmly in control.

As the first quarter wound down, Notre Dame’s offensive woes deepened. The Irish went scoreless over the final two and a half minutes of the period, extending a three-point drought that dated back several quarters. By the end of the quarter, Notre Dame had not made a three-pointer in six straight quarters, a statistic that loomed large as Virginia Tech carried momentum forward.

Despite the shooting struggles, the Irish refused to fade. Early in the second quarter, Notre Dame pieced together an 8–4 run through defensive pressure and transition opportunities. Still, Virginia Tech maintained its edge, and Nelson quieted the crowd momentarily with a clutch three-pointer that pushed the Hokies’ lead to six.

That shot seemed to wake up Notre Dame’s leader. Hidalgo took control of the game late in the half, relentlessly attacking the basket and putting constant pressure on the Hokies’ defense. She scored Notre Dame’s final six points of the second quarter, weaving through traffic and drawing fouls. By halftime, Hidalgo was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, singlehandedly keeping the Irish within reach.

Notre Dame closed the half on an 8–0 run over the 1:20 stretch, shifting momentum heading into the locker room. While Virginia Tech still held a narrow lead, the game’s tone had changed. The Irish had weathered their cold shooting and were finding ways to score through effort and defense.

Virginia Tech came out of halftime determined to reassert control. The Hokies opened the second half with a quick 4–0 run, pushing the lead back in their favor. Carys Baker immediately made her presence felt, knocking down a three-pointer to extend the Hokies’ advantage to eight. The shot energized the team and gave Virginia Tech its largest lead of the night.

Moments later, Notre Dame finally broke through from beyond the arc. Early in the third quarter, the Irish knocked down their first three-pointer in six straight quarters, a release that seemed to lift a weight off the team’s shoulders. That basket opened the floodgates.

What followed was a complete third-quarter takeover by Notre Dame.

Hidalgo continued to dominate on both ends of the floor, recording her fourth steal of the afternoon and pushing the pace in transition. The Irish strung together stops and capitalized on Virginia Tech turnovers, rattling off an 8–0 run to take their first lead since scoring the game’s opening basket to go up 2–0.

Notre Dame’s defensive pressure intensified. Passing lanes disappeared, help defense rotated on time, and Virginia Tech struggled to maintain offensive rhythm. By the midway point of the third quarter, the Irish had already recorded 11 steals, a testament to their relentless on-ball defense.

The run grew to 11–0 as Notre Dame seized full control of the game. Virginia Tech managed to respond with a three-pointer, but the Irish answered immediately. The two teams exchanged shots from deep, yet Notre Dame’s confidence continued to grow.

In a span of just 30 seconds, the Irish knocked down two consecutive three-pointers, sparking a 6–0 burst that swung momentum decisively. After going so long without a made three, Notre Dame suddenly couldn’t miss. The combination of perimeter shooting, free throws, and suffocating defense proved overwhelming.

Virginia Tech’s mistakes began to pile up. The Hokies committed 21 turnovers on the night, many of them live-ball turnovers that led directly to Notre Dame points. Each miscue fueled the Irish run and drained energy from the Hokies.

Still, Virginia Tech refused to go quietly.

Baker stepped up in the fourth quarter, knocking down a clutch three-pointer to cut the deficit to one. Moments later, she connected again, drilling her third straight three to keep the Hokies within striking distance. Virginia Tech followed with a tough layup through contact, earning the foul and tying the game, sending a jolt of energy through the arena.

But every time the Hokies clawed back, Notre Dame had an answer.

Hidalgo and Maddy Prosper took over in the closing minutes, combining for crucial baskets and defensive stops. The Irish closed the game on a dominant 10–0 run late in the fourth quarter, slamming the door on Virginia Tech’s comeback hopes. Hidalgo continued to attack fearlessly, while Prosper delivered timely plays that extended the lead and silenced the crowd.

In the end, Notre Dame’s formula proved decisive: aggressive defense, efficient free-throw shooting, and timely three-pointers when it mattered most. After struggling from deep for much of the game, the Irish caught fire late, making six three-pointers in a row to pull away.

Notre Dame walked away with an 80–70 victory, snapping Virginia Tech’s seven-game winning streak and handing the Hokies a hard-fought loss.

For Virginia Tech, the loss comes with little time to regroup. The Hokies face a quick turnaround as they return home to prepare for a matchup against NC State, looking to respond after seeing their momentum halted.

For Notre Dame, the win stands as a statement performance — one built on resilience, effort, and the ability to take over when the game was on the line.