Dec 23, 2002
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By TOM COYNE
AP Sports Writer
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Alicia Ratay made a pair of free throws with 9.3 seconds left as No. 12 Notre Dame overcame its worst shooting game of the season to beat Colorado State 46-45 on Monday afternoon.
The Rams (5-4) still had a chance to win, but Elizabeth English missed a 3-pointer and the clock ran out as players from both teams scrambled for the rebound.
Jacqueline Batteast scored six of her 18 points as the Irish (7-1) used a 12-2 run to open a 40-34 lead with 5:08 left in the game. Batteast started the run with a pair of free throws, added an underhand scoop that bounced in off the backboard, then drove the baseline and scored on a layup.
The Rams countered with an 11-4 run, though, highlighted by a 3-pointer by Jackie Campbell that cut the Irish lead to 44-41. Shannon Stecker made a pair of free throws, followed by two more by Ashley Augspurger with 26.9 seconds left to put the Rams ahead 45-44.
Stecker grabbed Batteast’s arm hard as she drove for the basket and was called for the intentional foul. Batteast missed both free throws, but the Irish got the ball back. Augspurger fouled Ratay, who hit the game-winning shots.
The win was the 33rd straight nonconference victory at home for the Irish, dating back to an 81-69 loss to Wisconsin on Dec. 9, 1996. The Rams (5-4) have lost three straight games, all on the road. It is their longest losing streak in three years.
Batteast was the only Irish player in double figures and added 10 rebounds. Ratay and Le’Tania Severe had eight points each as the Irish made just 30 percent of their shots. Aside from Batteast, who was 8-of-18 from the floor, the rest of the Irish were 6-of-29 shooting.
Augspurger was the only Colorado State player in double figures and led the Rams with 19 points and eight rebounds. The Rams shot only 31 percent, including just 21 percent in the first half.
The Rams had 16 turnovers in the first half, but just four in the second half. The Irish had 12 in the first half and five in the second. The Irish led 20-12 at halftime.