Marquette University Athletics
Marquette Looks to End Slide Versus Fighting Irish
1/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Tomorrow night, Marquette looks to end its two-game slide when it takes on Notre Dame at the Joyce Center in Notre Dame, Ind.
Last time out, the Golden Eagles dropped a 67-52 home BIG EAST decision to DePaul. Freshman Krystal Ellis tallied career-highs in points (17), rebounds (4) and assists (4) to lead the way for MU. Senior point guard Carolyn Kieger added 11 points in the loss.
While in its first season in the BIG EAST, Marquette will take on some familiar opponents in conference play. With the game against DePaul this past Saturday and Notre Dame tomorrow, MU will have faced two of its most common opponents. Since the women's basketball team began play in 1975, they have faced DePaul 46 times and Notre Dame on 32 occasions.
Notre Dame and Marquette have met virtually every year since the inception of Golden Eagles' program. The Fighting Irish have captured the last nine meetings, including last year's heartbreaking, last-second win at the Al McGuire Center on Dec. 19, 2004 (50-47).
"It's my biggest test as a coach." said head coach Terri Mitchell. "We're playing in the toughest league in the country. We had DePaul the other night, now we have to go to Notre Dame. There are no games off in the BIG EAST. You face the best teams, the best players and the best coaches in the country, night in and night out."
Notre Dame, ranked #20 in the latest Associated Press poll, began the season winning nine of its first 10 games, but have dropped their last three: to top-ranked Tennessee and two games in BIG EAST play, at St. John's on Jan. 4 (66-63) and last time out at home against Seton Hall (74-61).
Last time out against Seton Hall, Tulyah Gaines scored 12 points, while Crystal Erwin added 11 and Charel Allen 10. For the season, Notre Dame is led, offensively, by Megan Duffy. She is averaging 14.8 points and 4.2 assists per game. Melissa D'Amico (9.8) and Lindsay Schrader (9.0) round out the top scorers for the Irish, while posting 5.6 rebounds per game each.
"i thiNk we have do two things: we have to know where Megan Duffy is, contain her, and give her the respect she deserves. She's the heart and soul of that team." Mitchell said about facing Notre Dame. "Secondly, we know we have to crowd the paint, battle, and play bigger than we are. But that's nothing new. (Notre Dame head coach) Muffet (McGraw) always has good inside players and we have to have an emphasis on that."
The game will be broadcast locally on the radio (WJYI AM 1340) and internet (Yahoo! Sports).
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