Ratay leads women to victory
By KERRY SMITH
Assistant Sports Editor
EOS Malbas may have put the first points on the board, but Notre Dame had the last laugh Monday night as the Irish won their second straight exhibition game 76-51.
EOS Malbas started off strong with a quick steal and lay-up in the opening seconds of the game, but Irish guard Alicia Ratay came right back down the court and knocked in a three-pointer as the Irish took the lead and never looked back.
Playing without the aid of center Ruth Riley, who sustained an injury to her right ankle in practice, the Irish still managed to dominate on the floor.
"It was a good opportunity for us to play without Ruth," said head coach Muffet McGraw. "It was a real positive for us — we were able to get some different looks."
The Preseason All-Big East First Team selection's playing status is "probable for Saturday," according McGraw.
Ratay showed she was at home on the court in only her second collegiate contest, leading the Irish with 25 points and putting in a perfect eight-for-eight performance from the foul line.
"Alicia already has made a big impact," said McGraw. "She's doing what we would expect from an upperclassman. She has great poise and is very much in control on the court. We plan on getting the ball to her a lot this season."
The freshman guard already shows hints of the playing style of past Irish player and three-point record holder Sheila McMillen, as she knocked in five shots from behind the three point line.
Steady pressure from the Irish defense forced EOS Malbas into several turnovers. The Irish capitalized on numerous opportunities, scoring 26 points on possessions after turnovers.
"We're doing a little more with the full court press," said McGraw. "It's better at times — not there yet, but getting there."
The Irish took control of the game early on, going on a 12-0 run to lead EOS Malbas 12-2 in the opening minutes before increasing the lead to 40-24 at the half.
Two quick steals and baskets by senior guards Niele Ivey and Danielle Green in the first few minutes of the second half propelled the Irish to a 20-point lead early on.
Ivey tallied 15 points and four steals on the game, proving that her presence on the court is key for Irish success.
"We're a young team, especially when Niele's not on the court," said McGraw. "There are still a lot of things we need to work on."
EOS Malbas and the Irish traded baskets for much of the rest of the second half as the Irish held the touring team from Sweden off for the remainder of the game.
"It was a good game for us," said McGraw. "We had a chance to learn some things."
The game against EOS Malbas was the last exhibition game for the Irish before they open up the regular season at Toledo on Saturday.
Looking ahead to Saturday's match-up, McGraw is anticipating a good opening game.
"It should be a great match-up," said McGraw. "They beat the Ohio All-Stars bad — and there's a team that we played too. They were beating us at one point, but Toledo never trailed them, so it should be good."
The Irish are looking for sophomore forward Ericka Haney to play a bigger role on the squad in the upcoming season.
"We think she can be dominant," said McGraw. "She has great work ethic — she wants to play better. She has great versatility and is going to be our defensive stopper. We like to have her on the floor — she does so many things at both ends of the court."
Haney is also looking forward to the possibility of making a bigger impact this season.
"I think I can contribute a lot to the team," said Haney. "There are a lot of good players that will hopefully step up this season. I need to work on a lot of things — getting comfortable at the three spot and coming in at the four spot — but I think I can contribute."
Coming off the bench, Haney knocked in 10 points for the Irish.
With two exhibition outings behind them to work out the kinks, the Irish are set to start the regular season and improve on their current pre-season eighth-place ranking, beginning with Toledo.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, November 16, 1999
