Notre Dame took to the court for a high-stakes showdown against UConn and gained control of the game from the get-go. The Fighting Irish held an 11-point lead at halftime, while UConn struggled to find its rhythm against their formidable opponent. However, with an entire second half yet to play, questions lingered about Olivia Miles’ availability.

The senior guard headed to the locker room just minutes before halftime. ESPN reporter Alex Philippou noted on X, “Olivia Miles left for the locker room a bit early before the halftime buzzer.” During her time on the court, Miles contributed 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. While there was a possibility she could return, concerns linger about her condition.

Earlier in the game, she was seen on the bench and appeared to be walking gingerly. The Notre Dame star appears to be dealing with an ankle issue, according to Philippou.

Earlier in the first quarter, Philippou tweeted, “Looks like Miles got her left ankle taped. She’s back toward the middle of the bench, and I would presume is gonna go back in sooner rather than later.” But Miles would return to the court soon.

Olivia Miles shines through injury to lead Notre Dame

The 21-year-old has been a cornerstone for Notre Dame this season. She’s not just a consistent scorer—ranking second on the Fighting Irish roster with an impressive 17.2 points per game—but also a dynamic all-around player. Her versatility shines through in every stat line, averaging 6.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. In fact against the UConn, Miles made her return to action in second half and played a pivotal role in securing her team’s victory over the Huskies, further cementing her importance to the squad.

Olivia Miles wrapped up the game with a solid performance, tallying 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Her sharpshooting was on display as she sank 2 of her 4 attempts from beyond the arc, showcasing her range. Miles also posted an impressive 66.6% shooting accuracy from the field.

Despite battling an ankle injury that saw her repeatedly in and out of the game, Olivia Miles emerged as Notre Dame’s second-leading scorer, tied with Liatu King at 16 points. Together with Hannah Hidalgo’s standout 29-point performance, the trio powered the Fighting Irish to a commanding 79-68 victory. This win not only handed UConn their first loss of the season but also marked the largest deficit the Huskies have faced so far, underscoring Notre Dame’s dominance on the court.

It will be fascinating to see how Notre Dame moves forward, especially after defeating the Huskies, one of their top opponents, following their earlier win over USC. Regardless of what lies ahead, Olivia Miles’ involvement will be key to their continued success.