Sports: Who has the edge?

Who has the edge?

By ANTONYA ENGLISH

THREE-POINT SHOOTING: Alicia Ratay led the nation this season at 55 percent, and with four Friday night set the NCAA single-season mark for three-point field-goal percentage. Teammate Niele Ivey is a 45 percent shooter. Notre Dame was 8-of-11 (72.7 percent) from three-point range Friday night, with Ivey and Ratay converting clutch threes to get their team back in the game. Purdue is hitting 35.5 percent, and in four games this season, five different players have converted at least one three. Shereka Wright, the freshman, leads at 53 percent, but has attempted only 28. Kelly Komara is a 33 percent shooter, and Katie Douglas has proven that she can hit long range, whether she's at guard or forward. But while Purdue has players who can hit the three, the Fighting Irish have players who do hit the three, including three who are shooting more than 40 percent. EDGE: Notre Dame

FREE-THROW SHOOTING: Purdue should avoid putting Riley or Ratay on the line. Riley owns the Notre Dame career record for free-throws made (502 entering the NCAA Tournament), and Ratay, an 88 percent shooter, is on pace to set the school single-season percent record. Komara is the top free-throw shooter (78 percent), followed by Douglas (74 percent). Purdue shoots 66 percent and Notre Dame 67 percent. EDGE: Even

REBOUNDING: Purdue put on a clinic against SMS with 47, including 21 on the offensive glass, to 14 offensive rebounds for Notre Dame in its semifinal. Riley vs. Camille Cooper inside may be critical. Cooper is 6-4 and averages 6.5 rebounds. Riley is 6-5 and averages 7.7. The intangible could be the play of Shalicia Hurns and Notre Dame junior forward Ericka Haney. Haney averages 5.6 rebounds, but had 10 to go along with 15 points Friday. Hurns averages 6.5, but had 12 in her last game. Purdue averages 37.5 rebounds, the Irish 41.4. EDGE: Purdue, based on its semifinal performance

DEFENSE: Purdue is the first this season to stop NCAA career scoring leader Jackie Stiles. Using man defense and double teams with its taller post players, the Boilermakers put on an awesome defensive display. But it was tenacious defense by the Irish that helped fuel its comeback against UConn. Notre Dame scored 20 off 16 Connecticut turnovers. Notre Dame has held opponents to an average of 54.9 points. Purdue's defense has kept opponents at 61.1 percent. Coach Kristy Curry said the Big Ten style of play is "extremely physical" and it frustrates many opponents. If the officials aren't calling a tight game, Notre Dame must get physical. EDGE: Even

BENCH: The Irish lack depth. Although Purdue's bench scored just seven Friday, its backups average 24.8 points and 13.3 rebounds and have outscored opponents' benches 793-457. Notre Dame got five points from its backups against Connecticut and relies much more on its starters. EDGE: Purdue

COACHING: Curry is in her second season, but she spent three as an assistant under legendary Louisiana Tech coach Leon Barmore. She also was an assistant at Tulane, Texas A&M and Stephen F. Austin. She is the first in NCAA history to inherit a national champion and two years later coach the team back into the title game. Muffet McGraw, AP's coach of the year, took over in 1987 and has the Irish in the Final Four for the second time in five years. This is the first national title game for each, but McGraw coached her team to a 2-1 record over Big East foe, defending national champion and No. 1-ranked Connecticut and Geno Auriemma this season. EDGE: Notre Dame

INTANGIBLES: Purdue has six players who were members of its national championship team and they comprise the winningest class in Big Ten history (111-26). Cooper and Douglas saw significant playing time in the 1999 title game. Notre Dame has never played for a national title, but after its 16-point comeback over UConn, its confidence is high. And having spent several weeks as the No. 1 team in the nation, the Irish have dealt with teams gunning for them. Most coaches agree, however, there's no substitute in big games for experience. EDGE: Purdue

-- Compiled by Antonya English.