Ruth Riley scored a career-high
36 in win over Providence.

Women's Basketball Downs Big East Rival Providence

Irish earn their third-straight win.

January 10, 1999

Box Score

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Sophomore center Ruth Riley scored a career-high 36 points and added 13 rebounds, leading No. 9 Notre Dame to a 79-56 win over Providence Sunday.

Sheila McMillen scored 11 and Niele Ivey 10 as Notre Dame (12-2, 4-2) won its third straight Big East game. Monika Roberts and Dana Simonelli each scored 13 for Providence (2-11, 1-5).

The Friars played without their leading scorer, 6-foot-5 Dani Trippany, who was sidelined with a stress fracture. With Trippany out, the Irish were able to get the ball inside to Riley, who responded with 17 points and nine rebounds in the first half.

Riley picked up her second personal foul with 2:15 to go in the half and Providence reeled off six points to close to 39-35 at the half.

Roberts scored all 13 of her points in the first half for Providence.

Riley's previous high was 29 points against Syracuse last season.