Colleges

Bulls shake off tying 3-pointer, dominate OT

The Bulls outscored Notre Dame 13-4 in overtime to win 87-78.

By MIKE CAMUNAS Times Correspondent
Published January 14, 2007

TAMPA - Notre Dame reversed roles against USF on Saturday at the Sun Dome.

The Fighting Irish (11-5, 2-1) hit a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left to send the game into overtime tied at 74. But the Bulls (13-4, 3-1) outscored Notre Dame 13-4 to win 87-78.

Last season at Notre Dame, USF forced overtime when forward Ezria Parsons hit a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left. Saturday, it was Irish guard Melissa Lechlitner, who had 11 points. Notre Dame was also the team that knocked the Bulls out of the Big East tournament in 2006.

"We've had three really great games with Notre Dame," coach Jose Fernandez said. "I think that we have to protect our home floor. If we do that, we should be fine."

USF was coming off its worst loss of the season, 62-36 to Rutgers on Tuesday. Fernandez was pleased how his captains rallied the team.

"Some players were here (before the game) as early as 9:30," Fernandez said. "The team captains had some meetings that I didn't even know about. When they start taking responsibility and ownership of their performance, then that's when you know they care about how hard you work as a coaching staff."

Stepping up was senior forward Nalini Miller, who had a career-high 26 points and 14 rebounds. Senior Jessica Dickson led all scorers with 30 points and added 11 rebounds. Freshman Daiane Packer scored 11.

"This is my last year," Miller said. "I want to go out with a good year. We can't take a night off. We have to be ready game after game after game. We were hungry, and we wanted to win more."

TAMPA 64, PALM BEACH ATLANTIC 46: DeShaydia Mackey had a career high 19 points for the host Spartans (10-5), who opened the second half with an 18-2 run to blow it open.

NOVA SE 67, ECKERD 55: The host Tritons (4-11, 0-5 SSC) fell despite double-digit scoring from freshmen Stephanie Grace, Samantha Infantino and Kristi Moore.

[Last modified January 13, 2007, 22:41:31]