Nov. 15, 2000
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The sixth-ranked Notre Dame women’s basketball team wrapped up its preseason exhibition schedule with a 98-53 win over the Finnish team Tapiolan Honka on Tuesday at the Joyce Center. The Irish open their 2000-01 season at Valparaiso on Friday. Five players scored in double figures for Notre Dame, including 15 from senior Meaghan Leahy and 14 from freshman Jeneka Joyce — both coming off the bench to do so. Sophomore Alicia Ratay led the Irish with 17 points. Tapiolan Honka’s Jamika Jones, a member of the WNBA’s Miami Sol, led all scorers with 22 points.
Senior point guard Niele Ivey helped the Irish build a 56-31 halftime lead with seven points, eight assists and nine rebounds in the first half. Joyce netted all 14 of her points in 14 minutes of action in the first half with four three-point shots and two free throws. Leahy poured in 10 points in the second half as the Irish pulled away from Tapiolan Honka.
Notre Dame defeated the Premier All-Stars 91-56 in their first exhibition game on Sun., Nov. 5. The Irish travel to Valparaiso for their season opener at 7:30 p.m. CST on Friday, before their home opener vs. Arizona at 7:00 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 20.