Olivia Miles leaves NCAA Tournament game with ankle injury

In the United States on March 21, 2025, Olivia Miles, a star guard for Notre Dame's women's basketball team, sustained an ankle injury during their first-round NCAA Tournament matchup against Stephen F. Austin. The incident occurred early in the fourth quarter, when Miles fell to the court after stepping on another player's foot. Despite having contributed two points and eight assists by that time, her injury cast a shadow over Notre Dame's dominant 106-54 victory. As a precaution, she limped off the court and was taken to the locker room for further evaluation, during which coach Niele Ivey indicated that he believed she would recover without significant issues. A key player in the Fighting Irish lineup, Miles was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection and known for her remarkable performance, including three triple-doubles this season. She led the team in scoring and assists, averaging 16.2 points and 5.8 assists per game prior to the injury. Her teammate, Maddy Westbeld, expressed confidence in Miles's toughness, indicating that if the injury was not serious, Miles would likely be able to compete in the next game after being cleared by medical staff. The Fighting Irish had established a commanding lead of 82-43 at the time of her injury, emphasizing their strong performance throughout the game despite the unfortunate incident involving their star player. As the team proceeds in the tournament, the health and recovery of Miles remain a focal point among fans and teammates alike, reinforcing her value to the Fighting Irish squad and their collective aspirations for success in the NCAA Tournament.