ND's Hidalgo rips refs for forcing her to miss time to get nose ring out - ESPN

ALBANY, N.Y. — Freshman All-American Hannah Hidalgo was forced to take her nose ring out in the middle of Notre Dame's 70-65 loss to Oregon State on Friday in the Sweet 16, as game officials enforced an NCAA rule prohibiting jewelry during games.

The decision came as a surprise to Hidalgo, coach Niele Ivey and those on the Notre Dame bench. Hidalgo has played with a nose ring the entire season, including the first two NCAA tournament games last weekend.

In a postgame interview with ESPN, Hidalgo said one official initially told her she could wear the nose ring as long as she covered it up. But at the end of the first quarter, Hidalgo was told the nose ring had to be removed or she couldn't play in the game.

Hidalgo sat on the bench and missed 4:09 of the second quarter as athletic trainers struggled to take out the ring. She said the trainers didn't know how to take it out, and her nose was bleeding as a result.

Hidalgo said she was given no explanation for why the officials changed course during the game.

«I thought it was B.S., because I'm on a run, I'm on a roll,» Hidalgo said. «I scored two baskets and then having to sit out for all that time, I was starting to get cold. I think [the officials] were worried about the wrong things. They should have reffed the game.»

Hannah Hidalgo missed some time in Notre Dame's Sweet 16 matchup with Oregon State to have her nose ring removed. pic.twitter.com/1XF0XCCrjM

After the game ended, the NCAA released a statement that explained the decision, citing Rule 1, Section 25, Article 7: «Head decorations, head wear, helmets, and jewelry are illegal.» If a player is found to be wearing jewelry, NCAA rules state the player is required to remove it at the first dead ball, and cannot