Nov. 21, 2003
By TOM COYNE
AP Sports Writer
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Jacqueline Batteast had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and No. 20 Notre Dame held Valparaiso to 29 percent shooting, beating the Crusaders 74-57 on Friday night.
Courtney LaVere added 11 points, Le’Tania Severe had 10, and 11 of the 12 Irish players who got in the game scored. Jenna Stangler and Mayella Kuikhoven scored 15 points each for Valparaiso.
Although Notre Dame (2-1) has won all 17 games it has played against Valparaiso (0-3), the Crusaders had played the Irish tough the past two seasons. Last season, the Irish held on for a 74-68 victory despite not making a basket the final 4:52. Two years ago, Notre Dame outscored the Crusaders 7-2 down the stretch to win 42-35.
Valparaiso wasn’t able to remain competitive long Friday, though, because of a tough defense by Notre Dame and poor shooting. Midway through the second half, Valparaiso was 11-of-48 before making some shots against the Irish reserves.
LaVere and Teresa Borton had three blocked shots each for the Irish and Batteast had two as Notre Dame blocked 10 shots and had 12 steals, led by four from Severe.
The tough defense helped the Irish get their offense going. After making just 3-of-11 shots to start the game, the Irish hit 7-of-10 to open a 26-13 lead. The Irish, who led 32-23 at halftime, took a 64-39 lead, their biggest of the night, LaVere scored inside with 5:59 left.
Jeneka Joyce, who sat out all of last season with a myriad of leg injuries, played for the first time this season for the Irish. She didn’t attempt a shot in the first half, but was 3-for-3 from 3-point range in the second half as the Irish hit 4-of-6 3-pointers in the second half. Megan Duffy also had nine points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Irish.