November 9, 1996

Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Loses 94-89To Lithuania In Exhibition Test

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Vilija Grigeine scored a game-high 34 points,including 25 in the second half, to rally the Lithuanian National teamto a 94-89 victory over Notre Dame. Grigeine also grabbed a game-high13 rebounds in the contest.

Lithuania, ,which scored 61 second-half points, was down by 12at halftime (45-33) and then trailed by as many as 18 in the second halfwhen Rosanne Bohman grabbed an offensive rebound off her own missed shotto put the Irish up 73-55 with 11:53 left in the contest.

Lithuania then outscored the Irish 27-11 over the next eightminutes to tie the score at 82-82 with 3:39 remaining. Rasa Krievyte’s three-pointer tied the score for the visitors. RosanneBohman’s layup put the Irish up 84-82. Krievyte’s two free throws tiedthe contest for the second time at 84 and then Beth Morgan’sthree-pointer from the right side put the Irish up 87-84 with 3:09 left.

Laimute Gedminate driving layup cut the Irish lead to one(87-86) and then two Krievyte free throws gave Lithuania its first leadof the contest, 87-88, with 1:58 left in the game. Lithuania, which hit31 of 39 free throw attempts, hit six free throws in the final 1:30 ofthe game. Notre Dame managed just two points in the last 3:09 of thecontest.

The Irish were outrebounded 44-38 in the contest. Notre Damewas led in scoring by Katryna Gaither who had 21 points on a 10 for 14shooting performance. Bohman finished with a double double as shenetted 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Morgan netted 15 points.

In addition to Grigeine, two other Lithuania players were indouble figures – Krievyte (17) and Lina Damgrauskaite (11).

Notre Dame will play the Dutch National team on Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. in its final exhibition tuneup before openingup the 1996-97 campaign at home against Kent on Friday, November 17 at4:00 p.m. in the first round of the Women’s Preseason NationalInvitation Tournament.

Score by Periods:                 1st           2nd            TotalLithuania                          33            61              94Notre Dame                         45            44              89