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Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Road to the Final Four.............................................................................................
Overview  Big East Player of the Year Ruth Riley has developed into the dominant post player in the college game. Riley ranks fourth in the country in field-goal percentage and second in blocked shots. She scores 18 points per game and few -- if any -- teams have an answer for her. Her frontcourt mates of Erica Haney and Kelley Siemon, the Big East's Most Improved Player, are finally getting the recognition they deserve. The backcourt is lethal, too, with point guard Niele Ivey, an All-Big East selection, and shooting guard Alicia Ratay. If coach Muffett McGraw's Fighting Irish -- particularly Riley -- stay out of foul trouble, they are one of the favorites to win it all.Player to WatchShooting guard Alicia Ratay, a sophomore, is the top 3-point threat in the nation. Through 29 games, she's 61-for-116 from beyond the arc, making 52.6 percent of her attempts. The second-best 3-point shooter in the country is shooting 48.7 percent. Roster NO. PLAYER POS HT YRS HOMETOWN 00 Ruth Riley C 6-5 SR Macy, IN 3 Ericka Haney G-F 6-1 JR Toledo, OH 4 Le'Tania Severe G 5-9 FR Fort Lauderdale, FL 5 Jeneka Joyce G 5-9 FR Topeka, KS 11 Karen Swanson G 5-7 SO Westlake, OH 22 Alicia Ratay G 5-11 SO Lake Zurich, IL 23 Monique Hernandez G 5-9 SO Rio Rancho, NM 31 Amanda Barksdale F 6-3 SO Friendswood, TX 33 Niele Ivey G 5-8 SR St. Louis, MO 41 Imani Dunbar G 5-7 SR San Angelo, TX 44 Meaghan Leahy F 6-4 SR Wilbraham, MA 50 Kelley Siemon F 6-2 SR Edina, MNNotable Numbers The Irish opened the season with a school-record 23 consecutive victories, and was the country's last unbeaten Division I team before falling 54-53 to Rutgers on Feb. 17. The winning streak included a 92-76 win over then-No. 1 Connecticut, which snapped the Huskies' 30-game winning streak. Tournament history Previous NCAA Tournament Bids: 7 NCAA Tournament Record: 10-7 Final Four Appearances: 1 NCAA Tournament Championships: None Best NCAA Tournament Finish: 1997, Final Four Last NCAA Appearance: 2000, lost to Texas Tech, 69-65, Regional Semifinals
 20 Questions: Notre Dame's Niele Ivey ESPN.com quizzes the Irish senior guard with 20 questions.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories |  |
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AllNight: Muffet McGraw talks about the incredible game Ruth Riley had against Purdue.
Ericka Haney feeds Ruth Riley, who hits a jumper over 2 defenders.
