SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 3 Notre Dame (26-5) will open 2025 NCAA Tournament play on Friday with No. 14 Stephen F. Austin (29-5).

While the Irish have dropped three games in their last five contests, Notre Dame’s offensive firepower remains a matchup nightmare for opponents. Three players earned AP All-America status on Wednesday — Hannah Hidalgo (First Team), Olivia Miles (Second Team) and Sonia Citron (Honorable Mention). Hidalgo is leading the team with 24.2 points and 3.7 steals per game. Both numbers rank fourth in the nation, while Miles is the only player in the nation averaging 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and shooting better than 40 percent from deep. 

Stephen F. Austin has been to the NCAA Tournament in three of the last five seasons, and this is the first appearance for the LadyJacks since 2022. SFA brings a balanced scoring attack to the floor, as five of the players are averaging double-figure points. 

The LadyJacks’ bread and butter comes from beyond the arc, as the group averages 9.4 triples per game, which ranks 10th nationally. Harmanie Dominguez is pacing SFA with 89 3-pointers this year, and Avery VanSickle leads the group with a 44.3 success rate from beyond the arc. That ranks 12th in the nation.

The Irish are 73-27 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, and this is Notre Dame’s 30th appearance, tied for ninth in women’s basketball history. Friday’s game tips off on ESPN at 2 p.m. Pam Ward and Stephanie White will be on the call from Purcell Pavilion.