SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Junior forward Halee Smith led Lafayette in scoring with 10 points in the team's 96-42 loss against the nationally ranked Fighting Irish on Wednesday evening.

Senior guard Makayla Andrews dropped in four of her eight total points in the first quarter, leading the Leopards' offense. Buckets from sophomore Kay Donahue, senior center Aniya Matthews and sophomore guard Sauda Ntaconayigize led Lafayette to a 19-10 deficit when the first quarter ended.

With 8:26 remaining in the first half Smith knocked down a triple, cutting Lafayette's deficit to seven points (23-16). A three-pointer from fellow classmate Kylie Favours (six points) two minutes later brought the Maroon and White within six points of the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame then went on a 12-4 run to close out the half, gaining a 38-23 lead.

In the third period of play, the Fighting Irish outscored Lafayette 28-8. Kylee Watson and Hannah Hidalgo led Notre Dame's offense, scoring eight and seven points in the quarter. Notre Dame shot 62.5 percent from the field in the third compared to the Leopards' 23.5 percent. The Fighting Irish led 66-31 heading into the final 10 minutes.

Notre Dame scored 30 points in the fourth quarter from seven different players in their seventh win of 2023.  

As a team, Notre Dame handled the Leopards on the glass, collecting 25 more rebounds. The Fighting Irish had a clear advantage on the defensive end, grabbing 12 steals and swatting seven shots. Hannah Hidalgo led all scorers, finishing with 26 points, four assists and six steals.

The Leopards return to Kirby Sports Center on Monday for a 6 p.m. tip-off against Monmouth.