Jan. 29, 2000
Postgame Audio
- Irish Head Coach Muffet
- Irish point guard Niele
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) – Even after 13 consecutive wins, Notre Dame coach Muffett McGraw isn’t ready for her No. 5 Irish to do any bragging.
Niele Ivey scored 18 points as Notre Dame beat Georgetown 87-56 Saturday night to extend its winning streak.
“If we were undefeated at this point, I’d be really happy,” said McGraw, who rested her starters for most of the second half. “Right now we’re beating the teams we’re supposed to beat.”
Danielle Green added 14 points for the Irish (17-2, 8-0 Big East), and Ruth Riley had 12 despite sitting out most of the second half.
Notre Dame jumped out to a 20-7 lead with 13:32 remaining in the first half and never looked back.
A layup by freshman forward Amanda Barksdale with 6:46 remaining in the game gave the Irish a their largest lead, 79-39.
It was the largest margin of victory this season for the Irish, who last lost on Dec. 8 to Purdue 71-61.
Katie Smrcka-Duffy led Georgetown (11-8, 4-4) with 23 points and a school-record 10 steals. The Hoyas, who had won four straight before the loss, committed 30 turnovers.
The Irish shot 63 percent for the game, while the Hoyas shot just 27 percent.
“It was Notre Dame’s night,” Georgetown coach Patrick Knapp said. “I thought in the second half we worked hard to sustain a strong effort, but nothing went in for long stretches of time.”
With the game sealed by halftime, McGraw was able to give her reserves extended playing time in the second half. For the game, 11 of the 12 Notre Dame players scored.
“I think this is the best game we’ve played in a while,” McGraw said. “Michigan State (an 84-54 victory on Dec. 11) was the best game we’ve played all year, but I think this one is right up there.”