November 24, 1998
Box Score
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- Ruth Riley had 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven
blocks, and Sheila McMillen scored her 1,000th career point as No. 7 Notre Dame
beat No. 25 Illinois 101-92 Tuesday night.
Niele Ivey scored 22 points for the Irish, and McMillen added 20 to become
the 14th player in Notre Dame history to top 1,000 points.
Susan Blauser led Illinois with 26 points, including 12-of-14 from the foul
line. Melissa Parker added 22 points, including four 3-pointers, for the
Illini.
McMillen helped the Irish (4-0) hold off Illinois (2-1) down the stretch,
going 4-for-4 from the foul line in the final minute.
Illinois pulled within 92-89 on Blauser's basket with 2:36 left, but
McMillen hit a 3-pointer to spark a closing 9-3 run that gave the Irish their
third win over a ranked opponent this season.
McMillen hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to go over the 1,000-point
mark and give Notre Dame a 15-10 lead in the first half.
The Irish led 27-22 when Riley went to the bench with foul trouble. llinois
then rallied to tie the game 33-33, and Alicia Sheeler later gave the Illini a
40-37 lead with a three-point play.
But the Irish responded with an 8-5 run and took a 51-44 halftime lead when
Sherisha Hills stole the ball and went in for a layup.
By JR ROSS
Associated Press Writer
