No. 3 Notre Dame women beat Pittsburgh

Tribune News Services

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Skylar Diggins had 23 points and 10 rebounds, both season highs, and Lindsay Schrader added 18 points to beat Pittsburgh 86-76.

Diggins was 9-of-11 from the free-throw line and the Fighting Irish (21-1, 8-1 Big East) were 21-of-29. Pittsburgh (12-10, 1-8) was 9-of-15 and coach Agnus Bernato was complaining throughout the game about the lopsided calls.

After the Irish went on a 14-2 run in the first half to open a 13-point lead, the Panthers gradually cut the deficit to four late in the first half. But the Irish led 45-37 at halftime, then used a 10-2 run early in the second half take a 48-45 lead.

Notre Dame extended the lead to 81-62 when Ashley Barlow hit a 3 as the shot clock sounded with 5:13 left. Pitt used a 14-3 run to cut the lead to 84-76 on a jumper by Jania Sims, but couldn't get any closer.