Feb. 2, 2001
From the Associated Press
Notre Dame, winner of 20 straight games, looks to achieve the longest
winning streak in school history as it heads to Chestnut Hill to face Boston
College.
The top-ranked Fighting Irish (20-0, 9-0 Big East) are coming off a
64-44
win over Providence on Wednesday, matching the all-time school record with
their 20th consecutive victory.
Notre Dame also became just the seventh team ever to put together
back-to-back seasons with 20 straight wins.
The Irish have shattered their best start to a season ever, besting
last
season's 15-0 run to begin the year.
Keeping the winning streak alive combined with being the No. 1 team in
the
nation can be difficult, as Notre Dame nearly fell victim to a Providence
team
that's tied for last place in the conference.
In the first half against the Lady Friars, the Irish shot 9-for-28
(32.1
percent), committed 12 turnovers and trailed 18-11 with 6:16 left - their
largest deficit of the season.
The added media attention and extra pressure that comes with the
privilege
of being atop the poll may be affecting the team's concentration.
"It's nice to have the attention, great to come out and see the (Joyce
Center) full, but I think now we need to take some time to ourselves and
focus
on the rest of the season," Riley said.
Riley leads the Big East in scoring at 17.9 points per contest, while
point
guard Niele Ivey adds 13.0 points per game and ranks eighth in the nation in
assists with 7.9 a contest.
Adding to the depth and balance of the team is sophomore shooting guard
Alicia Ratay (14.2 ppg), who leads the nation in 3-point shooting at 59.7
percent (46-of-77).
Boston College (8-12, 2-7) has lost three straight and seven of its
last
eight games.
Becky Gottstein is clearly the Eagles' top option on offense, averaging
team
highs with 15.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Freshman Amber Jacobs is
the
only other B.C. player scoring in double figures, averaging 12.3 points a
contest.
Boston College trails the all-time series 3-5, but has won three of the
four
meetings on its home floor.
