Nov. 23, 2007
Game Notes Package in PDF Format
2007-08 ND Women’s Basketball: Game 5
#23/24 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-1 / 0-0 BIG EAST) vs. Boston College Eagles (2-1 / 0-0 ACC)
DATE: November 24, 2007
TIME: Noon ET
AT: Notre Dame, Ind. – Joyce Center (11,418)
SERIES: ND leads 10-5
1ST MTG: 12/30/83 (BC 59-55)
LAST MTG: 3/19/06 (BC 78-61)
RADIO: ESPN Radio 1490 AM/UND.com (Sean Stires, p-b-p)
TV: UND.com
LIVE STATS: UND.com
TICKETS: (574) 631-7356
Storylines
- Notre Dame opens a three-game homestand and is slated to leave the state of Indiana just once in the next month.
- Five current Irish players were in uniform when Notre Dame last played Boston College in the 2006 NCAA Tournament.
No. 23/24 Irish Tip Off Three-Game Homestand Saturday Against Boston College
Old rivals will meet in a new setting when No. 23/24 Notre Dame welcomes Boston College to the Joyce Center Saturday for a noon (ET) tipoff. The Irish and Eagles will square off in their first regular-season matchup since BC left the BIG EAST Conference to join the Atlantic Coast Conference prior to the 2005-06 season. It’s also the first game between the clubs since the Eagles downed Notre Dame in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament (the only NCAA first-round loss the Irish have suffered in the past 12 seasons).
Notre Dame bounced back extremely well from its first loss of the season, hammering Central Michigan, 94-41 on Tuesday night in Mount Pleasant, Mich. The Irish shot 55.9 percent from the floor and used a 20-0 run late in the first half to post their largest margin of victory in more than six years and the second-largest road win in school history.
Freshman forward Becca Bruszewski scored a game-high 13 points for Notre Dame, which had six players finish in double figures for the first time in three years.
Rankings
- Notre Dame is ranked 23rd in this week’s Associated Press poll and 24th in the latest ESPN/USA Today poll.
- Boston College is not ranked.
A Quick Look At The Fighting Irish
Even after a 20-12 record and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2006-07, Notre Dame still continues to fly below the national radar. Head coach Muffet McGraw wouldn’t want it any other way.
Last year, the Irish learned quickly that respect is something that isn’t handed to you, but rather earned on the court. It’s also a quality that takes time to develop and doesn’t come from trophy cases or record books. So although Notre Dame was tabbed fifth in the preseason BIG EAST Conference balloting, it’s not a great concern to McGraw and her charges. Instead, they focus on the things they can control and prefer to let the outside world judge them when the season is over.
This year could prove to be unlike any in recent memory for Notre Dame. For one, the Irish will roll out some impressive depth, going virtually two-deep at every floor position. In addition, Notre Dame’s new offensive system (a Princeton-based set with four guards and a post) continues to evolve, building upon last year’s 70.1 point-per-game average that was its highest since the 2000-01 NCAA national championship season.
Senior guard Charel Allen is the top returning scorer and rebounder for the Irish, leading the team in both categories last year (17.0 ppg., 6.2 rpg.). She also was a first-team all-BIG EAST and WBCA honorable mention All-America selection, and was a finalist for the 2007 USA U21 World Championship Team that struck gold this past summer in Moscow.
Allen’s backcourt partner and classmate is point guard Tulyah Gaines. Now in her second full season at the helm of the Notre Dame offense, the speedy Gaines averaged 9.6 points per game along with team highs of 3.9 assists and 2.0 steals per contest. She also is a two-year team captain who commands instant respect from teammates, coaches and opponents.
The Irish will benefit from the return of junior guard Lindsay Schrader, who missed the entire 2006-07 season with a torn ACL in her right knee. Schrader, who retains three years of athletic eligibility, was Notre Dame’s second-leading scorer (10.5 ppg.) and top rebounder (5.4 rpg.) as a rookie in 2005-06 and will look to regain that form this season.
Last year saw Notre Dame break new ground by becoming the first school ever to put three players on the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team. Guards Ashley Barlow (10.3 ppg., 5.4 rpg.) and Melissa Lechlitner (6.3 ppg., 2.7 apg.) will provide a superb complement to the veteran Allen-Gaines tandem, while center Erica Williamson (6.1 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 1.3 bpg.) showed flashes of potential throughout her rookie season and is poised for increased development this year.
Headlining a three-player freshman class (ranked 11th nationally by Blue Star Basketball) is Devereaux Peters, a smooth 6-2 forward who was a consensus All-American as a senior last year at national powerhouse Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill. Fellow post Becca Bruszewski (Valparaiso, Ind.) finished third in last season’s Indiana Miss Basketball voting and was a perennial all-state pick. And, guard Brittany Mallory (Baltimore, Md.) offers a perimeter shooting threat, as well as a cerebral player who will mesh well in the Irish offensive system.
A Quick Look At Boston College
Although it’s been less than two years since Notre Dame and Boston College last saw one another in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament, a lot has changed for the Eagles in that time.
Only two players on BC’s roster remain from that postseason matchup, while the Eagles undergo a youth movement in their third season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). More than half of the current Boston College roster is new, with six freshmen and a junior college transfer making their initial appearances on the Heights this season.
But the cupboard isn’t entirely bare for BC, as six letterwinners, including two starters, are back from last year’s 13-16 squad. Sophomore forward Ayla Brown made solid contributions as a rookie, tying for second on the team in scoring (8.1 ppg.) and placing second in rebounding (5.9 rpg.) while making 16 starts.
The Eagles (2-1) are coming off a last-second 53-51 victory at Delaware on Tuesday night. Freshman forward Stefanie Murphy capped off an impressive 26-point, 16-rebound effort in a reserve role with a putback at the horn to give BC the win. Junior guard Corey Rusin chipped in with 10 points, also from the bench, as the Eagles survived a 5-for-21 (.238) performance at the foul line to post the win.
Just three games into her college career, the 6-foot-4 Murphy is averaging a double-double with team bests of 14.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Fellow rookie post Carolyn Swords has used her 6-foot-6 frame to average 13.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game along with a team-high .571 field goal percentage. BC also has been a force on the glass, holding a +17.7 rpg. edge on its opponents thus far.
Head coach Cathy Inglese is in her 15th season at Boston College with a 254-168 (.602) record at the school. She also spent seven years at Vermont and has a career record of 374-242 (.607) in 22 seasons on the sidelines. Inglese is 4-10 all-time against Notre Dame.
The Notre Dame-Boston College Series
Regular rivals during their 10-year run as members of the BIG EAST Conference (1995-96 through 2004-05), Notre Dame and Boston College will be meeting for the 16th time in their series history, with the Irish holding a 10-5 edge over the Eagles. Notre Dame also has won all seven prior matchups played at the Joyce Center.
Saturday’s matinee also will be the first time the schools have met in the regular season since BC left the BIG EAST for the Atlantic Coast Conference prior to the 2005-06 season. The teams did meet in the 2006 NCAA Tournament, with the Eagles ousting the Irish, 78-61 en route to a berth in the NCAA Sweet 16.
The Last Time Notre Dame And Boston College Met
After a long layoff, Boston College found its game in time for the NCAA Tournament.
Brooke Queenan had 18 points and 11 rebounds, Aja Parham scored 16 and BC beat Notre Dame 78-61 in the first round of the NCAA Albuquerque Region on March 19, 2006 at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.
Playing for the first time in 17 days, Boston College (20-11) outrebounded the Irish 42-31, outscored them 29-10 from the free-throw line and held their former BIG EAST rival to 34 percent shooting.
Lindsay Schrader scored a career-high 29 points and Megan Duffy added 15 for Notre Dame, which fell to 0-8 at Mackey Arena.
Boston College dropped its final four games of the regular season, then lost to Virginia in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. The victory over Notre Dame was BC’s first since Feb. 12 against Miami (Fla.).
The Eagles also had lost three straight and seven of eight to Notre Dame (18-12). The last three games had been decided by seven or fewer points, but this one got out of hand early.
Notre Dame forward Courtney LaVere was hit near her left eye and went down with 1:02 left in the first half. The team’s third-leading scorer did not return.
Boston College led 37-26 at halftime and held the ninth-seeded Irish scoreless for almost five minutes to start the second half. Notre Dame missed its first eight shots after the break.
With 8:56 left, the Eagles were already in the double bonus. Notre Dame’s Crystal Erwin fouled out with 4:59 left, then was called for a technical while walking toward the bench.
Boston College scored the first six points of the game and led 27-22 before closing the half on a 10-4 run.
The Eagles shot 52 percent in the first half and held the Irish to 35 percent. Boston College outrebounded Notre Dame 24-7 before the break, but the Eagles committed 10 turnovers, allowing the Irish to stay in the game.
Kathrin Ress scored 11 of her 15 points in the first half and Kindyll Dorsey added 10 for the Eagles.
Schrader scored 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting in the first half, but the rest of the team shot 5-for-19.
The Last Time Notre Dame And Boston College Met At The Joyce Center
Notre Dame’s Jacqueline Batteast wasn’t feeling well enough to play more than seven minutes in the first half. She didn’t improve much after the break, but made Boston College do the suffering.
Batteast scored all 15 of her points in the second half, the sixth-ranked Irish beat the No. 16 Eagles 64-57 on Feb. 2, 2005 at the Joyce Center.
Batteast proved it by overcoming another obstacle. After scoring the first two baskets of the second half, she left briefly to have her left ankle retaped after injuring it.
The Eagles (15-4, 6-2 BIG EAST) went ahead 54-53 when Lisa Macchia scored inside with 6:45 left. But the Irish (19-3, 7-2) took control with an 8-0 run, getting four of their points from baskets inside. It started with Batteast going around Macchia to score. Batteast was double-teamed down low on Notre Dame’s next possession, but passed to Teresa Borton, who was wide open for a basket.
After Macchia was called for a travel, Courtney LaVere hit a 15-foot shot to put the game away as the Eagles went five minutes without scoring, going 0-for-6 during that stretch.
Borton added 12 points for the Irish, who outscored the Eagles, 44-18, inside despite being outrebounded, 45-32.
Clare Droesch led BC with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Aja Parham had 13 points and 13 rebounds, Sarah Marshall added 11 points and Kindyll Dorsey, who entered the game with 10 points all season, added 10 points.
The Eagles, the nation’s best-shooting team, couldn’t overcome a season-low 34.5 percent or a season-high 22 turnovers.
But BC managed to make a game of it after falling behind by nine points early in the second half. The Eagles had a 19-6 run and led 49-45 on a layup by Parham midway through the half.
Boston College kept the score close throughout the first half despite missing its first 10 shots and losing leading scorer Jessalyn Deveny five minutes in with a reinjured right Achilles’ tendon. Deveny wasn’t planning on playing, but felt good during the shootaround and decided to give it a try.
Other Notre Dame-Boston College Series Tidbits
- Notre Dame and Boston College will be meeting in the regular season for the first time since Feb. 15, 2005, when the No. 5/7 Irish took a 54-47 win over the No. 25/22 Eagles at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
- Notre Dame went 10-3 (.769) against BC when the schools were members of the BIG EAST from 1995-96 through 2005-06.
- The Irish are 7-0 all-time against Boston College at the Joyce Center, but the past two meetings in South Bend each were closely contested (52-50 on Jan. 31, 2004; 64-57 on Feb. 2, 2005).
- Notre Dame freshman forward Devereaux Peters and Boston College junior guard Brittanny Johnson were teammates at national powerhouse Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill., during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. The Friars posted a combined 67-7 record in those two years, advanced to the state semifinals in 2004 and the state quarterfinals in 2005. Johnson (15.5 ppg.) and Peters (12.9 ppg.) were Fenwick’s top two scorers during the ’04-05 season, while Peters was the team’s leading rebounder (7.7 rpg.) and shooter (.605, 178-294). One other tie-in: current Notre Dame junior and sports information student assistant Meghan Mulhern was a forward on those two Fenwick squads, averaging 2.5 points and 1.0 rebounds per game in ’04-05.
- Five current Irish players were on the roster the last time Notre Dame played Boston College in the 2006 NCAA Tournament (box score on page 160 of this year’s Irish media guide) — senior guards Tulyah Gaines, Charel Allen and Amanda Tsipis, senior center Melissa D’Amico and junior guard Lindsay Schrader. All but Tsipis saw action in the loss to the Eagles, with Gaines and Schrader getting the starting nod that day. Conversely, only two current BC players were in uniform for that 2006 NCAA contest — junior guards Brittanny Johnson and Corey Rusin, with Johnson being the lone remaining Eagle who has previously played against the Irish.
- The Irish have only had two players from the state of Massachusetts in school history. Worcester native Carola Cummings suited up for Notre Dame in the program’s first two varsity seasons from 1977-79. More recently, Wilbraham resident Meaghan Leahy (1997-2001) played an integral leadership role in helping the Irish win their first national championship in 2001.
- Three former combatants in this rivalry now have joined forces in the professional ranks. Notre Dame’s Megan Duffy (’06) is a teammate with BC’s Amber Jacobs (’04) and Kathrin Ress (’07) on the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.
- Second-year Notre Dame women’s basketball trainer Anne Marquez is a native of Framingham, Mass.
Notre Dame vs. The Atlantic Coast Conference
Notre Dame is 38-17 (.691) all-time against current members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, including an 18-4 (.818) record at home. The Irish also are 34-11 (.756) against the present ACC alignment in the Muffet McGraw era, with a 18-1 (.947) mark at the Joyce Center. That lone home loss in the McGraw era was an 80-70 setback to Miami (Fla.) on Jan. 11, 2003 when the Hurricanes were playing in the BIG EAST.
Notre Dame last played an ACC school at home on Nov. 17, 2004, when the No. 11/10 Irish upended sixth-ranked Duke, 76-65 in the semifinals of the Preseason WNIT (an event Notre Dame won three days later). It should be noted the Irish faced Boston College later in that 2004-05 season, but the Eagles were still members of the BIG EAST at the time.
BC is the second of two ACC schools on Notre Dame’s schedule this season. The Irish dropped a 75-59 decision at third-ranked Maryland on Nov. 16 in the Preseason WNIT semifinals. Notre Dame has not faced multiple ACC opponents in the same season since 1996-97. That year, the Irish defeated North Carolina State, 64-53 in the Preseason WNIT third-place game (which no longer exists). Notre Dame then claimed a 76-69 victory at Georgia Tech in the championship game of the Comfort Inn Downtown Classic.
Talking Turkey
The Irish are 17-13 (.567) all-time in their first game after the Thanksgiving holiday, including a 6-3 (.667) home record and 13-7 (.650) mark in the Muffet McGraw era. Last season, Notre Dame suffered from a tryptophan hangover, falling at USC, 69-58.
A November To Remember
Notre Dame’s success during the past 13 years has been aided by its ability to get off to a good start. To wit — the Irish are 48-11 (.814) in November games since they joined the BIG EAST Conference in time for the 1995-96 season. In addition, Notre Dame has won 30 of its last 38 games during the year’s penultimate month.
Spreading The Wealth
One of the hallmarks of Notre Dame’s squad this season is its balance and depth. That’s been particularly evident through the first six games of the season (counting the exhibitions), with six different players from all five floor positions and all four classes leading the team in scoring.
Sophomore center Erica Williamson set the pace in the exhibition opener vs. Southern Indiana, before senior point guard Tulyah Gaines shouldered the scoring load in the second exhibition vs. Hillsdale. Junior 3-guard Lindsay Schrader claimed top scoring honors in the season opener against Miami (Ohio), while sophomore shooting guard Ashley Barlow was the leading scorer in the win over Western Kentucky. Senior shooting guard Charel Allen took her turn at the front of the Irish scoring train with 16 points at No. 3 Maryland before freshman power forward Becca Bruszewski dropped in a game-high 13 points in Notre Dame’s most recent outing at Central Michigan.
This trend also extends to the rebounding column, where five different Notre Dame players have led the club in rebounding thus far — senior center Melissa D’Amico (USI), Peters (Hillsdale/WKU), Williamson (Miami-Ohio), Schrader (Maryland) and Barlow (Central Michigan).
Protecting The Pill
Notre Dame took ball protection to a new level in its loss at No. 3 Maryland on Nov. 16. The Irish set a school record with only three turnovers against the Terrapins, with two of those giveaways coming on offensive fouls. The previous school record for fewest turnovers was six, set on Feb. 12, 2006 at DePaul.
With only three turnovers, it’s probably comes as no surprise that Maryland did not register a steal against Notre Dame. However, what is surprising is that it was the first time in the 31-year history of the Irish program that an opponent did not record a steal against Notre Dame. Several opponents had only one steal vs. the Irish, with the most recent being Boston College on March 19, 2006 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament (played at West Lafayette, Ind.).
Polling Station
Notre Dame is ranked 23rd in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 poll, maintaining its position from the previous survey.
Notre Dame now has been ranked in the AP poll for 142 weeks during the program’s history, with every one of those appearances coming in the Muffet McGraw era. McGraw now ranks 14th among all active NCAA Division I head coaches for weeks in the AP poll, and with this week’s poll selection, she breaks into the top 25 all-time in that category, tying retired Colorado mentor Ceal Barry.
The Irish also are appearing in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll for the second consecutive week, checking in at No. 24 after debuting 25th in the previous poll.
No Easy Road
Notre Dame has always played a difficult schedule, using it as a means of preparation for future tests in both the BIG EAST Conference and the postseason. However, this year’s slate could be one of the more rugged ones in recent memory.
With the addition of third-ranked Maryland to the docket in the Preseason WNIT semifinals, the Irish now will face four of the top seven teams (including the top three) in the latest Associated Press poll. Still to come this season are No. 1 Tennessee (Jan. 5 at the Joyce Center), No. 2 Connecticut (Jan. 27 at the Joyce Center) and No. 7 Rutgers (Feb. 19 in Piscataway, N.J.). The top three teams in the poll have combined to win three of the past four national championships, with Tennessee currently holding the hardware.
Leave The Driving To Us
Tuesday’s game at Central Michigan was the first of only four road contests for the Irish prior to the end of the calendar year. Even more notable — all four road games will be played no further than 200 miles from the Notre Dame campus, either within the state of Indiana or in neighboring states (Michigan or Ohio).
Allen Named To Preseason WNIT All-Tournament Team
Senior guard Charel Allen earned a spot on the Preseason WNIT All-Tournament Team after averaging 13.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in Notre Dame’s three tournament games. Allen is the fourth Irish player in history to be named to the squad, joining Katryna Gaither (1996), Megan Duffy (2004) and ’04 Most Valuable Player Jacqueline Batteast.
Guess Who’s Back … Back Again?
Junior guard Lindsay Schrader looked very sharp in her return to action on Nov. 9 vs. Miami (Ohio). In her first meaningful game in nearly 20 months, Schrader scored exactly one point for every month she was out, finishing with 20 points on 10-of-12 shooting, converting her first six shots before the game was eight minutes old. The Bartlett, Ill., native wound up playing just 17 minutes against the RedHawks, resulting in the first “point-a-minute” game of her career.
Irish Fans Crave A Big Mac Attack
Notre Dame has introduced a new promotion this season, offering fans a coupon for a free Big Mac from South Bend-area McDonald’s restaurants if the Irish score at least 88 points in a game. The coupons are issued at the Joyce Center gates as fans leave the arena following the game.
Promotional Corner
Here’s a rundown of some upcoming promotions and giveaways at future Notre Dame women’s basketball games this season. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Irish athletics ticket office (second floor of the Joyce Center through Gate 1; 574-631-7356), on game day at the Gate 10 ticket windows of the Joyce Center, or via the Internet at Notre Dame’s official athletics web site (UND.com). Please note — additional promotions and giveaways may be added at a later date, so consult the Notre Dame promotions web site (www.notredamepromotions.com) for the latest information:
- Nov. 24 vs. Boston College — Mascot Day (photos with mascots on concourse beginning 75 minutes before tipoff) … South Bend Tribune Family Day (4 tickets/sodas/hot dogs for only $25) … season ticket holder t-shirt/media guide pickup (Gym 2 on upper concourse) … Irish women’s basketball calendar to first 1,000 fans, courtesy of Waterford Estates Lodge … post-game autograph session courtside with selected Notre Dame players.
- Nov. 27 vs. Canisius — Elvis Night (Elvis will be taking photos with fans on concourse beginning 75 minutes before tipoff; don’t miss a special halftiime performance from the “King of Rock and Roll”) … Golden Domer Night ($3 tickets for all senior citizens) … Irish women’s basketball drinking glasses to first 1,000 fans, courtesy of Coca-Cola and Legends of Notre Dame restaurant … post-game autograph session courtside with selected Notre Dame players.
Next Game: Canisius
The Irish continue their three-game homestand Tuesday at 7 p.m. (ET), welcoming Canisius to the Joyce Center for the first-ever meeting between the teams.
The Golden Griffins (2-1) have bounced back from a season-opening 76-49 loss at No. 18/22 West Virginia with a pair of home wins over Colgate (78-33) and Binghamton (65-56). However, the road gets much trickier for Canisius –literally — as it plays eight of the next nine games away from home. The Golden Griffins tip off this extended road swing with its shortest trip, visiting crosstown rival Buffalo Saturday afternoon before heading to South Bend.
— ND —