Dec. 27, 2001
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HOUSTON – Playing for only the second time in the last 16 days, Notre Dame should be well-rested when it suits up Friday at 7 p.m. (CST) for a battle with Rice at Autry Court in Houston. The Irish (5-4) are currently riding a three-game winning streak and looked anything but rusty in their last contest, racing out to a 22-4 lead in the first 12 minutes and rolling to a 60-33 win over Marquette last Saturday at the Joyce Center.
The 2001-02 season has had two distinct chapters for Rice (5-3). The Lady Owls started the year off well, winning their first five games, including a triple-overtime victory at Massachusetts and a 67-54 win over No. 21 George Washington. However, Rice’s early-season success has faded in the wake of three consecutive losses, two to nationally-ranked opponents Texas Tech and LSU. The Lady Owls also fell to Arizona, a team that beat Notre Dame on Nov. 24.
Rice has been on a week-long hiatus since a 72-47 loss at No. 24/23 LSU on Dec. 20 in Baton Rouge, La. Center Johnetta Hayes and guard LaTonya Sam each scored a team-high 10 points for the Lady Owls, with Hayes adding eight rebounds and three blocks. The visitors were hampered by a poor shooting night, hitting only 28.8 percent (19-of-66) of their field goal attempts.
Rice is paced by guard Kara Liggett, who is the only player scoring in double figures at 11.9 points per game, despite starting just twice in eight games. She also is the leading perimeter scoring threat for the Lady Owls, connecting on a team-high 20 three-point field goals this year.
Forward Elisa Inman is Rice’s leading rebounder with 6.9 caroms per game, while Hayes blocks 2.6 shots per game. Guard Kim Lawson runs the point for the Lady Owls, dishing out 3.6 assists per game.
As a team, Rice is shooting 33.4 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from three-point range while scoring 61.2 points per game.
Christy McKinney is in her ninth season as the Lady Owls’ head coach, owning a 139-101 (.579) record. She has guided Rice to three postseason appearances, including its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2000. McKinney is 0-1 in her career against Notre Dame.
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