Jan. 26, 2000
By MELISSA MURPHY
Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) – Ruth Riley scored 12 of her 16 points in the second half and No. 5 Notre Dame extended its winning streak to 12 games with a 69-49 victory over St. John’s on Wednesday night.
The victory gave the Fighting Irish (16-2, 7-0 Big East) their longest winning streak since the 1990-91 season, when they won a school-record 15 straight.
The Irish, who also won 11 straight last season, have not lost since a 71-61 defeat to defending national champion Purdue on Dec. 8.
St. John’s (6-12, 1-7) led 14-13 on a basket by Latasha Thompson before the Irish went on a 12-1 run to lead 25-15 with 8:19 remaining in the half.
Behind Danielle Green’s 11 first-half points and some solid defense, Notre Dame led 33-19 at halftime despite 15 turnovers and held St. John’s to a season-low 19-percent shooting (6-for-32).
In the second half, the Red Storm came within 52-42 with 6:35 remaining. But Notre Dame went on a 15-0 run, holding the Red Storm without a field goal for five minutes until Aiysha Smith’s layup made it 67-44 with 1:40 remaining.
Riley scored in double figures for the 16th time in 18 games, shooting 7-of-9 from the field. Green, making her seventh start of the season, finished with 16 points and six assists.
Niele Ivey, eighth in the nation with 7.0 assists per game, finished with eight points and one assist.
Thompson had 20 points for St. John’s, which shot 24 percent for the game. Smith added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Notre Dame shot 55 percent in the second half (16-for-29) and finished at 49 percent overall.
The Irish, whose defense is holding Big East opponents to just 54.8 points per game, held the Red Storm to 2-of-15 from 3-point range.