Notre Dame Cruises Past Syracuse, 87-69

Riley nets fifth consecutive double-double

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Freshman Ruth Riley recorded her fifth straight double-double scoring a career-high 29 points and grabbing a personal best 13 rebounds as Notre Dame rebounded from its loss Saturday night to Boston College with an 87-69 victory at Syracuse.

Riley, who has started the last 11 games for the Irish, shot 13-of-15 from the field. She led three Irish players in double figures as Kelley Siemon scored 15 points and Sheila McMillen added 11.

The Irish, who improved to 12-5 and 6-3 in the BIG EAST, shot 50.0 percent from the field, while limiting the Orangewomen to just 33.5 percent accuracy. Notre Dame outrebounded Syracuse 45-39 and forced 23 turnovers.

Notre Dame used a 17-3 spurt in the final 6:13 of the contest to break open a close game. Syracuse, which had trailed early on in the game by 11 (22-11) with 13:07 to play before intermission, closed the gap to 31-30 on a Paula Moore layup as Syracuse outscored Notre Dame 19-11 over a seven-minute stretch.

The Irish came out strong in the second half and broke the game open with a 19-12 run in the first 10 minutes. Notre Dame had its largest lead of the game - 27 - at 77-50 with 7:21 remaining in the game.

Syracuse was never able to get closer than the final 18-point margin.

Teakyta Barnes finished with 15 points for the Orangewomen, while Paula Moore added 13. They were the only two Syracuse players in double figures as the Orangewomen fell to 10-7, 5-4.

Mollie Peirick finished with seven assists to lead the Irish.

Notre Dame returns to action on Saturday, January 24 when the Irish host Providence at the Joyce Center at 2:00 p.m.