NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Recap
(Notre Dame-Tennessee)
Posted: March 29, 1997
at 1:25 a.m EST
TENNESSEE 80, NOTRE DAME 66
All-American Chamique Holdsclaw poured in 31 points to lead
defending champion Tennessee into its seventh title game with an
80-66 victory over Notre Dame in the national semifinals of the
NCAA Women's Tournament at Cincinnati.
The Lady Vols (28-10), who are 7-3 in national semifinal games,
go for their fifth national championship Sunday against Old
Dominion.
Holdsclaw also played a major defensive role in shutting down
Notre Dame star Beth Morgan. Morgan missed her first six shots
and finished with 18 points on 6-of-21 shooting from the floor.
"I felt relaxed and ran the floor the best I have all year
round," said Holdsclaw. "I went out and gave the team what I
could."
Tenneesee led at halftime, 29-28, and stretched the advantage to
37-30 in the opening minutes of the second half. The Fighting
Irish narrowed the gap to 45-43 on a three-pointer by Morgan
with 10:45 to play, but were unable to get any closer.
"We felt good at tha point of game," said Notre Dame coach
Muffet McGraw. "We felt we needed to get another defensive
stop but we had trouble defending them."
Kyra Elzy added 14 points and nine rebounds for the Lady Vols
and Abby Conklin had 11 points, including three three-pointers.
Katryna Gaither had 28 points and 13 rebounds to pace Notre Dame
(31-7), which was making its first-ever Final Four appearance.
The Irish committed 23 turnovers and were outrebounded, 43-34.
"Our baksetball team played great," said Tennessee coach Pat
Summitt. "On defense we had a lot of intensity. We made a lot
of plays on the defensive end. I'm really proud of this
basketball team."
Tennessee posted its 13th straight victory over Notre Dame and
second this season.
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