November 24, 1998
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Ruth Riley had 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks, and Sheila McMillen scored her 1,000th career point as No. 7 Notre Dame beat No. 25 Illinois 101-92 Tuesday night.
Niele Ivey scored 22 points for the Irish, and McMillen added 20 to become the 14th player in Notre Dame history to top 1,000 points.
Susan Blauser led Illinois with 26 points, including 12-of-14 from the foul line. Melissa Parker added 22 points, including four 3-pointers, for the Illini.
McMillen helped the Irish (4-0) hold off Illinois (2-1) down the stretch, going 4-for-4 from the foul line in the final minute.
Illinois pulled within 92-89 on Blauser’s basket with 2:36 left, but McMillen hit a 3-pointer to spark a closing 9-3 run that gave the Irish their third win over a ranked opponent this season.
McMillen hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to go over the 1,000-point mark and give Notre Dame a 15-10 lead in the first half.
The Irish led 27-22 when Riley went to the bench with foul trouble. llinois then rallied to tie the game 33-33, and Alicia Sheeler later gave the Illini a 40-37 lead with a three-point play.
But the Irish responded with an 8-5 run and took a 51-44 halftime lead when Sherisha Hills stole the ball and went in for a layup.
By JR ROSS
Associated Press Writer