Feb. 27, 2001
From The Associated Press
Notre Dame looks for its first Big East title as it visits Pittsburgh
on
Tuesday in a key conference matchup.
The second-ranked Irish (25-1, 14-1) are tied with Connecticut for the
best
record in the conference, but own the tiebreaker having beaten the Huskies
this
season.
The Huskies will wrap up their season at Seton Hall on Tuesday. An
Irish
victory or Huskies loss would give Notre Dame the conference crown.
Whether or not they win the Big East, this year's Irish squad is
already the
most successful in school history, having been No. 1 in the polls. The Irish
also extended their school-best home winning streak to 36 games after
Saturday's 65-53 victory over Georgetown. It was the final regular season
home
game for seniors Imani Dunbar, Niele Ivey, Meaghan Leahy, Ruth Riley and
Kelley
Siemon.
"I couldn't control my emotions before the game and I think it
overflowed
into some of the players," said Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw, whose
seniors
have compiled the best four-year winning percentage (.826). "It was an
emotional day just to look at them walking out and knowing there's not many
opportunities for them to play at home and all that they've given me
personally."
