Feb. 13, 2002
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NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Having returned to the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time in more than two months, Notre Dame will put its newly-issued ranking to the test Wednesday night when it plays host to St. John’s in a BIG EAST Conference game at 7 p.m. (EST) at the Joyce Center. The Irish have won a season-high five consecutive games and will be seeking to extend the nation’s longest active home court winning streak, which currently sits at 49 games.
Notre Dame (15-7, 9-2 BIG EAST) cemented its bid for a spot in the Top 25, and took over sole possession of second place in the conference standings with a 60-44 win over No. 16/18 Boston College on Sunday at the Joyce Center. Freshman forward Jacqueline Batteast posted her 11th double-double of the season (and fourth in as many games) with game highs of 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Irish. Junior center Amanda Barksdale highlighted a superb defensive performance for the hosts, blocking a school-record 11 shots against the Eagles, part of a 16-block effort by Notre Dame, which was one off the BIG EAST record. The Irish also limited BC to a season-low 23.9 percent shooting and its lowest point total in more than two years.
St. John’s (3-20, 0-12) has lost 12 consecutive games as it arrives in town for Wednesday’s tilt. The Red Storm are coming off a 77-45 loss at Pittsburgh last Saturday, a game in which SJU scored just 16 first-half points. Sophomore guard Shemika Stevens led the Red Storm with 14 points.
Senior guard Rasheedah Brown has paced St. John’s this season, averaging 14.9 points per game. She will be returning to the Red Storm lineup Wednesday after missing the previous three games due to the death of her mother.
Pechone Stepps is the interim head coach at SJU, taking over after Red Storm head coach Darcel Estep was relieved of her duties last month. Stepps is 0-7 since he assumed command at St. John’s. This will be his first meeting with Notre Dame.
– ND –