March 22, 2009
2009 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship
First Round
Minnesota vs. Notre Dame
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Joyce Center o Notre Dame, Ind.
GAME
- Today’s game marked the second-ever meeting between Minnesota and Notre Dame. The Irish and Golden Gophers faced off in the opening round of the 1994 NCAA East Region at the Joyce Center, with Minnesota claiming an 81-76 win.
- Minnesota made its eighth NCAA Tournament appearance and the Golden Gophers’ sixth in seven years under head coach Pam Borton.
- The contest today marked the 14th straight NCAA tournament appearance for the Irish, and their 16th appearance out of the last 18 years.
MINNESOTA
- Notre Dame was the second team (Texas) that Minnesota has met more than once in NCAA Tournament play.
- Minnesota’s shooting percentage of 49.1% (26-53) today marked the fourth best shooting percentage for the Golden Gophers this season. The season high came against American (29-56, 51.8%).
- Minnesota’s half-time shooting percentage of 62.5% marked the best shooting percentage for the Gophers in a half this season.
- Katie Ohm’s five three-point field goals today tied the single-season record for made three-point field goals in a season at Minnesota with 73. Her five threes also tied a Minnesota NCAA Tournament record for three-pointers in a game.
- Emily Fox’s 23 points today moved her into seventh place all-time in scoring at Minnesota with 1,447, passing Carol Peterka (1,441).
- Zoe Harper’s 13 rebounds today set a career high for the center. Her previous high of 11 came against Michigan State (2/26/09).
NOTRE DAME
- Ashley Barlow’s 20 points today tied her post-season career high. The other occasion was against Southern Methodist (3/23/08).
- Melissa Lechlitner’s 16-point performance set a new post-season career high for the guard. Her previous high of 12 points came against California (3/18/07).
- Ashley Barlow’s two three-point field goals today moved her into sole possession of ninth place all-time in three-point field goals made at Notre Dame with 86, passing Sherri Orlosky (85).
- The Irish loss moved them to 17-2 when making more free throws than their opponent. The Gophers converted 19 free throws while the Irish netted 25 on the day.
- The Irish loss in the tournament opener was only their second opening-round loss in the past 14 tries.
- Ashley Barlow’s lone steal on the day, her 201st career steal, tied her with Jeannine Augustin for ninth place all-time at Notre Dame in career steals.
- The Irish loss moved them to 6-2 all-time at the Joyce Center in NCAA Tournament play. Both losses came at the hands of Minnesota in the opening round, the first coming in 1994 (81-76).