Irish Top SW Missouri 78-64

Game Statistics

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Ruth Riley scored 21 points and blocked four shots as Notre Dame held off Southwest Missouri State 78-64 in the first round of the NCAA Midwest Regional.

Sheila McMillen added 13 and Niele Ivey had seven steals for the ninth-seeded Fighting Irish (21-9).

Riley, who at 6-foot-5 towered over diminutive Southwest Missouri, also had nine rebounds. She went 10-for-16 from the field, almost exclusively on layups and second-chance shots.

Notre Dame made a 14-2 run early and led by as many as 17 points before the Lady Bears began chipping away in the second half.

Jamie Bartlett's 3-pointer with 52 seconds left closed Notre Dame's lead to 70-64, but the Irish went 6-for-9 from the free-throw line to hold on.

Jackie Stiles, whose 21-point average led the nation's freshmen, scored 15 for Southwest Missouri. Bartlett and Lisa Davies added 14 each.