ND Womens Basketball: Irish have a chance to break the streak
By: JOE HETTLER
Sports Editor
Connecticut's basketball team will not have lost a basketball game in 694 days Sunday when the Huskies face Notre Dame.
Irish coach Muffet McGraw thinks that's just too long.
The way McGraw sees it, Connecticut has to lose eventually, so it might as well be against the Irish in Storrs, Conn.
"We're thinking `Why not us?'" McGraw said. "Their streak has been going on for quite a long time, so if you can get them in a close game, they're not [going to be] familiar with that. We've got nothing to lose."
The Huskies have won a womens college basketball record 64 straight games dating back to March 30, 2001. Their last loss came against the Irish in the NCAA Tournament that season, 90-75. Notre Dame eventually went on to win the national championship that season.
Notre Dame had a shot at ending the streak earlier this season on Jan. 20 at the Joyce Center, but doomed themselves by allowing a 30-10 run in the middle of the first half. The Huskies went on their run despite having their best player, Diana Taurasi, on the bench with three personal fouls. But McGraw wants to use the Irish last meeting against Connecticut as a confidence builder for their contest Sunday.
"If we can just fix that 10-minute period, we can make it a game," McGraw said. "That's how were trying to approach it."
McGraw also said her team can use the underdog role as a motivational device.
"[The underdog] is a nice position to be in," McGraw said. "It's not a must-win game for us, but we feel like we're playing a lot better than we were when we played them last time. We're a lot more confident."
The Irish have won four of their last five games and have started to gain some momentum as they head into Sunday. One reason behind the Irish surge is guard Alicia Ratay. Ratay, the reigning Big East Player of the Week, averaged 24.5 points and seven rebounds in Notre Dame's last two games. She knocked down seven 3-pointers in the Irish last game against Providence.
Notre Dame has also improved their defense in recent games. Since McGraw changed from a 2-3 to a 1-3-1 zone, Notre Dame has held four of its last seven opponents under 60 points and five of their last seven under 35 percent shooting.
In their last meeting, freshman Barbara Turner scored 25 points and was 9-for-11 from the field. Ann Strother added 15 for the Huskies. Connecticut led Notre Dame by 19 at half, before the Irish played them even in the second half.
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 21, 2003
