Mark Allen
Irish Blue And Gold (www.irishblueandgold.com)
ND Women’s Basketball
Notre Dame fought back from an eleven point second half deficit to defeat Bowling Green in overtime, 85-81. Freshman Ashley Barlow scored six of Notre Dame’s seven overtime points to aid in the victory. Tulyah Gaines and Charel Allen had career highs in points with 25 and 21, respectively.
Make no mistake about it – this game was no gimme for the Irish. Bowling Green is a good team and this game was a marquee one, even though it was only the second game of the season for the Irish. The Falcons, last season, were an NCAA Tournament participant. They were 28-3 and won the Mid American Conference. As a matter of fact, Bowling Green has won the regular season as well as conference tournament for the last two seasons. They are a favorite to win the MAC again this season.
The Falcons played like a champion from the start. Behind the shooting of senior forward Carin Horne, they raced to a 13 point lead. They led at the half by a score of 38-31.
The Irish trailed with about ten minutes to go in the game, 61-50, when junior guard Tulyah Gaines decided to take control. At times she looked out of control, driving the lane. But, the results can’t be argued with. In the last ten minutes of regulation, Gaines scored 13 points. She had a couple of baskets to go along with 8-of-9 from the line.
Speaking of the end of regulation…this one had a wild finish. The Irish, trailing for most of the game, had finally caught the Falcons at 73. Gaines was at the free throw line for her second shot and, if made, an Irish lead. But, senior forward Crystal Erwin, who played a tenacious game on defense, stepped into the lane too soon to negate the attempt. It almost came back to haunt Notre Dame.
Notre Dame managed to gain the lead at 78-75 in the final few seconds. Bowling Green had possession with about fourteen seconds to go. Most of the night, the Falcons were left alone for three point shot attempts. As a matter of fact, for the night they were 11-of-23. Senior forward Liz Honegger found herself alone at the bend in the arc and buried a buzzer-beating trey to knot it up and send it into overtime.
The crowd and Ashley Barlow would not allow the Irish to falter in the extra period. Although listed at 5, 746 as far as attendance, the crowd looked fuller and was definitely boisterous. Barlow was boisterous – and feisty. The freshman had a lot of fight in her on this night. If she missed her shot, she would not let up until she had it back and was either fouled or scored. She totaled 19 points for the night.
Charel Allen’s performance must be noted. She scored 21 points for a career high. But, her game on this night was much more than that. She was the personification of cool. When the Irish needed a comeback, she hit some clutch shots. She also was key on a very good press that caused the Falcons problems.
The Irish were very good on the boards, outrebounding Bowling Green, 45-33. Barlow led the way with 10.
Bowling Green placed all five starters in double figures. They were led by Kate Achter, who had 20.
Notre Dame is in action at home next on Sunday, November 19. The game is versus Western Michigan. The next game is a road game at Penn State on Thursday, November 16.
Irish Blue And Gold Items
*Notre Dame defeated a very good team in Bowling Green. The Falcons were receiving votes for the Top 25. Will the Irish move into the Top 25 next week?
*Ashley Barlow has my vote for game mvp. Although Allen (21) and Gaines (25) scored more, the freshman played like an upperclassman and refused to allow Notre Dame to lose.
*Both Allen and Gaines had career highs in points. This was Gaines’ best game of her career.
*After the game, as the team was exiting, the players raised their hands and voices to get the crowd into it. They were led by Crystal Erwin and Erica Williamson. Too bad the men are led by a coah who discourages a show of emotion.
Box Score
Bowling Green (1-1)
Honegger 4-8 0-0 12, Horne 6-17 2-3 18, Mann 4-7, 6-10 14, Achter 4-10 12-14 20, Thorburn 6-8 0-1 17, Taylor 0-0 0-0 0, McCall 0-3 0-0 0, Flynn 1-4 0-0 2, Totals 25-57 20-28 81
Notre Dame (2-0)
Erwin 3-7 1-1 8, D’Amico 1-2 0-0 2, Allen 9-20 0-0 21, Gray 2-8 2-3 6, Gaines 8-15 9-11 25, Barlow 4-11 11-12 19, Williamson 2-3 0-1 4, Lechlitner 0-1 0-0 0, Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Totals 29-67 23-28 85
Half: Bowling Green 38, Notre Dame 31. End of Regulation: Tied at 78. Shooting: Bowling Green 43.9 percent, Notre Dame 43.3 percent. 3-point shooting: Bowling Green 11-23 for 47.8 percent (Thorburn 5-6, Honegger 4-6, Horne 2-8, Flynn 0-2, Achter 0-1); Notre Dame 4-14 for 28.6 percent (Allen 3-7, Erwin 1-1, Gray 0-3, Barlow 0-1, Lechlitner 0-1). Rebounds: Notre Dame 45 (Barlow 10, Erwin 6, Allen 6, Gaines 6); Bowling Green 33 ( Horne 7). Assists: Bowling Green 18 (Achter 9), Notre Dame 13 (Barlow 4). Total Fouls: Notre Dame 22, Bowling Green 21. Attendance: 5, 746.
