Notre Dame girls win a rout

Notre Dame's girls basketball team is struggling through one of its worst seasons in recent memory.

The Bulldogs (5-14) were more than able to hold their own against rival Central on Tuesday at the Show Me Center with a 55-30 rout in a battle for bragging rights in Cape Girardeau.

"It's nice to get a win. It's nice to get a win over Cape Central," Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim said. "Both teams have struggled this season, so I guess it's a battle of the strugglers."

Notre Dame took advantage of some strong post play from 6-foot-1 center Amanda Essner and 5-11 forward Kristain Burger. Burger finished with a game-high 17 points, and Essner finished with 15.

"We have worked on trying to get the ball inside the post. Most of the time when we get it in there we do good things," Grim said. "Our problem is getting it in there."

Central was down by as much as 22-9 late in the second quarter before mounting a small comeback. The Tigers outscored Notre Dame 10-9 in the quarter, Central's only double-digit quarter. Notre Dame led 23-15 heading into the half.

Instead of continuing its slight momentum, Central was outscored 8-2 in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Notre Dame took control of the game in the third and led 38-23 heading into the final period.

"You come out of halftime and the first three minutes are the most important," Central coach Amy Blattel said. "That sets the tone."

What plagued Central more than anything in the second half was a simple lack of offense. Central made just two field goals in the second half -- none in the fourth quarter.

"We didn't put the ball in the hole the second half," Blattel said.

Notre Dame was able to get some minutes for its bench players during the final four minutes of the game. With the game in hand, senior Alana Weissmueller was even able to get in for the final few seconds. Weissmueller suffered a severe knee injury on the first day of practice this season.

Grim said he was happy his team could hold on to a big lead after allowing a pair of comebacks in the Queen of Hearts Tournament.

"Last weekend all three games we played in we had the lead, and we gave it up in two of three. It was nice to keep the lead," Grim said.

Notre Dame will next be in action on Monday at Dexter.

"I think we're coming along," Grim said. "We still have a ways to go, but the kids are playing hard and they're doing some good things. Their intensity's picked up a bit, and I think that helps a lot."

Central was led by Katie Mothershead with 11 points. Courtney Schuessler had 10 points.

Notre Dame 55, Central 30

Central 5 10 8 7 -- 30

Notre Dame 14 9 15 17 -- 55

CENTRAL (30) -- Katie Mothershead 11, Courtney Schuessler 10, Erica Schabbing 6, Dani Gross 2, Jessica Johnston 1. FG 8, FT 14-19, F 11 (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none)

NOTRE DAME (55) -- Kristain Burger 17, Amanda Essner 15, Amber Karnes 5, Meridith Medlin 8, Amanda Toole 6, Allison Toole 4. FG 24, FT 7-14, F 15 (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none)