Bulldogs visit JACC for Irish home opener
By KERRY SMITH
Assistant Sports Editor
The Notre Dame women's basketball team matches up against the Bulldogs of Butler tonight in the first Irish home game of the year.
The Irish look to improve their 1-1 record against a 3-1 Bulldog team that has not lost since its season opener.
Even though the Irish have only played two regular season games this year, they are already showing hints of a potent attack spread throughout the court. Offensively, the Irish are evenly balanced in the front and back courts.
Junior center Ruth Riley looks to dominate at the post position this season. The preseason first-team All-American selection had some trouble in the opening games of the season, but still managed to prove that she can be a force on the court.
Despite sitting out most of the game because of foul trouble, Riley was the top scorer in Notre Dame's loss to No. 15 Illinois with 16 points in just 16 minutes. Riley was held scoreless in the season opener win over Toledo as she spent most of the game in foul trouble.
Although they are aware of the importance of staying in the game and not committing costly fouls, Riley and junior forward Kelley Siemon agreed that referees have a tendency to call tighter games early on during the season, which could partially account for Riley's number of fouls.
"Sometimes the refs do call more fouls early on in the season," Riley said. "But that is no excuse — it's something we need to be aware of."
In the back court, the Irish possess a strong set of guards that will keep their opponents scrambling. The experience of seniors Niele Ivey and Danielle Green will be key because some talented freshmen will see a lot of action early on this season.
Freshman guard Alicia Ratay was the leading scorer against Toledo and came up with nine points against Illinois.
"The freshmen have been doing a great job so far," Riley said. "They come in and play hard — and that's what we need — everyone to play hard and improve throughout the season. Alicia and Monique [Hernandez] especially have really done well."
The Irish defense has not performed as well as its offense. While the Irish were able to hold off a tough Toledo team, mental mistakes cost the Irish too many points against Illinois.
"We definitely played better against Toledo," Riley said. "Our defense overall was not good against Illinois. We made too many mistakes."
The Irish defense allowed Fighting Illini guard Amanda Curtain to score 28 points, leading her team to a 10-point victory. The Irish need to work on their transition defense in particular if they plan on beating the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs are riding a three-game winning streak, although the No. 7 Irish will be their first true test of the season.
Led by sophomore forward Kelly Kuhn, the Bulldogs will rely on their inside game to upset the Irish. Kuhn led the Bulldogs to a championship title at the University of Missouri Kansas City Thanksgiving Classic last weekend.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, December 1, 1999
