Injured hand can't break Siemon's spirit
By NOAH AMSTADTER
Assistant Sports Editor
About five minutes into the post game press conference following Notre Dame's stunning 92-76 upset of Connecticut on Monday, senior forward Kelley Siemon strolled in with a Hawaiian lei around her neck, tripped on her way to her seat, and began taking questions.
Just another example of the quirky senior stealing the show once again.
While Ruth Riley was the dominant force in the victory with 29 points and 12 rebounds, it was Siemon who provided the inspiration.
The Notre Dame media guide lists facts about each player, including a section titled "Nobody knows how much I ... "
Siemon's response: "hate to lose."
After playing 33 minutes two days after breaking a bone in her hand against Virginia Tech, Siemon's secret is out.
As if playing at home in front of a sellout crowd against the No. 1 team in the nation didn't provide enough inspiration, the Irish — who had planned on playing each starter the entire 40 minutes — faced the challenge of going to battle without the Big East leader in defensive rebounding.
Rather than adding to the pressure, the Irish only saw the possible loss as another challenge to overcome.
"My first comment when I first heard about it was, `Notre Dame's probably going to play a lot better than they originally would,'" said Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma. "From an emotional standpoint I think they certainly took advantage of it."
Then Siemon met with Dr. Jack Mahon — the same doctor that diagnosed Irish quarterback Arnaz Battle with his season-ending wrist injury after the Nebraska game — on Monday morning.
The surprising diagnosis revealed that Siemon, who was originally thought to require surgery on Tuesday morning, was not as seriously injured as first thought. She was fit with a special padded brace emblazoned with the Adidas logo, and was allowed to suit up.
"Last night I came out and tried to shoot a little bit and really couldn't use the guide hand at all. Our trainers did a really good job," Siemon said. "They put some stuff over my hand to absorb any contact."
The sight of Siemon in uniform and warming up before the game, rather than cheering the team on from the bench proved inspirational.
"I talked to her before the game and she had so much confidence in herself and the team," said senior point guard Niele Ivey.
"I'm never going to forget what she said, `If this is what I have to do for the team to win the championship, then I'm going to do it.'"
Siemon's impact, however, was far more than just her presence on the court. She single-handedly held her own underneath the boards.
Less than three minutes into the game, Siemon made a lay-up to put the Irish up 6-3. Minutes later, she took a pass from Riley, scored off the glass, and collected a foul in the process. Siemon made the free throw, scoring her fifth point of the game and proving that it takes more than a broken bone to stop the daughter of former NFL player Jeff Siemon.
At the half, Siemon had sparked Notre Dame to a 40-31 lead with nine points and five rebounds.
"Once the game started, I really didn't notice it at all," said Siemon.
She added more of the same in the second half, scoring six consecutive points in a 90 second span to put the Irish up 56-46. She added three rebounds and finished the game with a more than respectable 15 points and eight boards.
Siemon's scoring total could have been much higher if not for a woeful 3 for 16 performance from the free-throw line.
"It's a mental thing with me," she said after the game. "I make them in practice, its something I need to get over."
She was then asked if her injured hand contributed to her struggles at the foul line. Siemon laughed, looked the reporter straight in the face, and said, "Definitely."
In a so-far magical season, Siemon's perseverance made Monday's win just a little more special.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, January 17, 2001
