Dec. 28, 2001
HOUSTON – Freshman forward Jacqueline Batteast recorded her fifth double-double of the season, scoring a career-high 23 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, but it was not enough as Notre Dame fell to Rice, 72-61, Friday night at Autry Court in Houston. The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for the Irish, who fall to 5-5 on the season and 0-5 away from the Joyce Center.
Batteast hit 10-of-16 shots and added three assists and three blocks in 35 minutes. Junior guard Alicia Ratay tallied 14 points and sophomore guard Le’Tania Severe compiled 10 points, six rebounds and five assists for Notre Dame.
Johnetta Hayes paced Rice with 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Lady Owls, who ended a three-game losing streak, connected on 26-of-40 free throws in the game to offset a 35.1 percent shooting night from the field by the hosts. Rice also claimed a 42-40 edge on the boards, where the Irish had a +9 edge coming into the contest.
With the exception of a 2-2 tie in the first three minutes of the game, the Lady Owls (6-3) led the entire game, opening up a 23-8 lead with 10:53 to go in the first half. Notre Dame fought back behind its trademark defensive pressure, limiting Rice to just two field goals over the remainder of the period. The Irish twice pulled within two points, the last coming on a basket by Batteast for a 26-24 deficit with 3:34 left in the frame. However, Rice ended the half on a 9-2 run to rebuild a 35-26 lead at the half.
Much as they did in the first period, the Lady Owls widened their lead to 53-39 on a jumper by Hayes with 13:03 left. Again, Notre Dame clawed its way back, getting within five points twice, the last on a layup by Batteast to make the score 58-53 at the 3:54 mark. That would be as close as the Irish would get – although it didn’t score a basket in the final 5:59, Rice made 14-of-24 free throws to keep Notre Dame at bay.
The Irish will return home to close out the 2001 calendar year, as well as their non-conference schedule Monday at 1 p.m. (EST) when they play host to DePaul at the Joyce Center.
– ND –