Dec. 31, 2001
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Maybe it’s the gold jerseys, or the raucous crowds or simply the pleasure of sleeping in one’s own bed. Whatever the reason, Notre Dame continues to be unstoppable at home, while struggling away from the Joyce Center.
That trend continued Monday afternoon, as the Irish clamped down on DePaul and posted a 79-50 win over the Blue Demons. The victory extends Notre Dame’s home winning streak to 44 games, the longest in the nation, and stretches its non-conference winning string to 29 games. It also is the first win for the Irish over DePaul since 1994 and it marks the ninth consecutive victory for Notre Dame over a Conference USA opponent.
Freshman forward Jacqueline Batteast put together perhaps her finest performance of the season, logging her sixth double-double of the season, and fourth in a row, with career highs of 25 points and 14 rebounds in only 27 minutes of action. Junior guard Alicia Ratay also turned in a strong outing, hitting six of nine shots, including three of five three-point field goals, to finish with 16 points.
As a team, Notre Dame shot a season-high 51.7 percent from the floor and owned a 47-39 edge in the rebounding column. The Irish also dished out 20 assists, tying their season best in that category.
DePaul forward Lenae Williams, who came into the game as the nation’s second-leading scorer, was held largely in check by the Notre Dame defense, hitting just six of 27 shots and winding up with 17 points, more than seven below her season average of 24.3. Jenni Dant came off the bench to add 15 points for the Blue Demons, who shot just 23.7 percent from the field.
After both teams went scoreless from the field over the first 3:29, Notre Dame went to work, racing out to a 15-3 lead with 8:50 remaining in the first half. DePaul didn’t crack the scoreboard until Yolanda Lewis made a free throw with 10:02 left in the period. The Blue Demons hit two more free throws before finally getting their first field goal when Laura Sobieszczyk canned a three-point field goal at the 8:32 mark of the first half.
The Irish (6-5) continued to pour on the defensive pressure and opened up a 24-point lead late in the first half before settling for a 38-17 edge at the break. Notre Dame shot 51.9 percent in the opening 20 minutes while limiting DePaul to an opponent season-low 11.5 percent shooting (3-of-26) in the first half.
Williams hit a quick three-pointer to open the second period and bring the Blue Demons within 18 points. However, that would be as close as the visitors would get. Notre Dame widened its lead to a game-high 31 points twice in the second half, the last coming on a trey by freshman guard Kelsey Wicks with 46 seconds left.
The Irish also got a superb performance from the reserves, who combined to score 33 points, including a career-high nine points from freshman forward Katy Flecky.
Notre Dame returns to the hardwood Wednesday night when it visits Miami to open BIG EAST Conference play. Tipoff time from the Knight Sports Complex in Coral Gables, Fla., is slated for 7 p.m. (EST). The game also will be televised on a tape-delayed basis in south Florida by Fox Sports Florida – it will air at 7 p.m. (EST) Thursday.
– ND –