LaVere scores 15 points for Notre Dame

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -- Courtney LaVere scored 15 points, and

Notre Dame rode a strong run at the start of the second half to a

59-50 victory Wednesday night over Miami (No. 16 ESPN/USA Today, No. 17 AP).

The Irish (12-7, 5-2) went on an 11-2 run after the break to

take a 37-30 lead, and Miami managed just three baskets while

turning the ball over seven times in the first 12:47.

Tamara James scored 16 points to lead Miami (16-2, 5-2), which

lost for the first time since Jan. 7. The Hurricanes shot just 37

percent.

Megan Duffy hit two free throws to push the lead to 45-37 with

6:23 left. Katy Flecky's short jumper with 2:07 remaining ended a

9-4 run for Miami and gave the Irish a 51-46 lead.

Notre Dame, which made 18 of 22 free throws, went nine for 10

from the line in the final 1:18 to seal the victory.

After falling behind early, Notre Dame went on an 8-0 run to tie

the game at 20 on Breona Gray's layup with 7:31 left in the first

half. Miami responded with back-to-back 3-pointers by Yalonda

McCormick and Melissa Knight and led 28-26 lead at halftime.