ND GIRLS HAMMER MCCLUER

OK, we know the answer.

We can stop playing the song now.

McCluer let the 'Dogs out.

McCluer posed no threat to Notre Dame Saturday as the Lady Bulldogs crushed the Comets 71-18 in the final game of the first annual Lady Bulldog Shootout.

Notre Dame suffocated McCluer and didn't allow a field goal until the 4-minute mark of the second quarter and that was only after four of the five starters were pulled. The Lady Bulldogs led 35-1 until the Comets' Nishelle Thompson scored to make it 35-3.

The Lady Bulldogs led 42-6 at halftime.

According to Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim, the only good thing that came out of the blowout was a win and that "everybody got to play and everybody got to score. The kids didn't lose their intensity and that's good because we've got some tough games ahead of us."

Lisa Millham hit four 3-pointers on her way to a game-high 19 points. Deana McCormick scored 14 and Ashley Millham added 11.

Notre Dame was given several open looks and took advantage of the opportunities. The Lady Bulldogs hit 62 percent of their shots (27 of 43) and 55 percent of their threes (six of 11).

McCluer, meanwhile, got frustrated by Notre Dame's intense defense and started forcing shots. The Comets shot 15 percent (seven of 48) overall and missed all 16 of their shots behind the arc.

Despite the obvious mismatch, Grim was thankful McCluer made the trip.

"We were glad to have them come down because the team we originally thought was coming couldn't make it," he said.