Nov. 27, 1999
Box Score
Postgame Audio!
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) – Allison Curtin came out and played her usual game Saturday. That means going full speed up and down the floor every minute.
“My defense contributed to a lot of my offense,” Curtin said after scoring 28 points to lead No. 15 Illinois to a 77-67 victory over No. 6 Notre Dame.
“I wasn’t trying to come out and be the big scorer.”
Curtin wasn’t worried about playing against a high-ranked opponent. It’s something Illinois is used to.
“I don’t think about it as “Ooh, aah Notre Dame,”‘ Curtin said. “I wasn’t intimidated. Why should I be intimidated? I just go out and leave everything on the floor.”
Curtin, a sophomore guard, was 7-for-12 from the field and 14-for-18 from the free-throw line. She also had seven rebounds and four steals.
“I think Illinois played an outstanding game,” Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw said. “I think Allison Curtin really played an outstanding game. Between both teams, she was definitely the best player.”
Kylie Martin added 16 points, and Susan Blauser had 11 for the Illini (5-1).
Ruth Riley led Notre Dame, scoring 16 points in just 16 minutes after getting into foul trouble with two in the first seven minutes. She fouled out in the second half.
Riley scored 10 of Notre Dame’s first 12 point as the Irish (1-1) took a three-point lead. But after she went to the bench, Illinois ran out to a 40-28 halftime lead.