Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

Riley Named to Kodak District I All-America Team

March 19, 1999

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame sophomore Ruth Riley (Macy, Ind.) has been chosen to the Kodak District I All-America Team as announced by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).

The 6-5 center, a third-team Associated Press All-America honoree, is one of 48 finalists now in the running for selection to the 10-member Kodak All-America Team which will be announced at the Final Four in San Jose, Calif. next weekend. The finalists are voted upon by WBCA member coaches in each of the eight geographical districts.

Riley, the 1999 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and three-time BIG EAST Player of the Week honoree, led the Irish in scoring and rebounding as she averaged 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds. The only player unanimously chosen as a first-team all-BIG EAST selection, she set several Notre Dame records this season. Riley became the school’s all-time career blocked shots leader (172) and also set the single season mark with 101. Her 68.3 field goal percentage also established a new Irish single-season record.

Riley led the team with 12 double-doubles this season and scored a Notre Dame school-record 41 points against Providence on January 30. In the contest, Riley hit made a school-record 18 field goals on 22 attempts.

She had eight blocked shots against Duke to tie the Notre Dame school record and also had a career-high 18 rebounds in the contest.

A Dean’s List student, Riley also was named to the GTE District V Academic All-America Team.

Notre Dame, which was ranked in the top 10 a school-record 15 consecutive weeks, finished with 26-5 record for the best winning percentage in school history (.839).