IN OVERTIME, ALEMANY SHOWS ITS STUFF\ALEMANY 66, NOTRE DAME 60.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

At stake: Little more than pride.

The Mission League title had already been decided, and Alemany and Notre Dame high schools were just renewing their rivalry before each heads into the girls' basketball playoffs next week.

But emotion turned out to be enough to create a classic.

Alemany held on for a 66-60 overtime victory at Notre Dame to preserve its 36-game league winning streak.

What captivated the fans, however, was Notre Dame's comeback, capped by Stacey Phillips' 3-point shot at the regulation buzzer that tied the game at 57.

Phillips was mobbed by her teammates, despite the fact the game was not over, because her basket culminated a 32-12 Notre Dame run in the second half of the game at 57.

No. 10-ranked Notre Dame (17-7, 7-3) even took a 60-59 lead in the extra period on Stephanie Eden's 3-pointer, but then Alemany reasserted its dominance.

Carly Funicello scored a basket, Dana Rios added a free throw and Jen Stoughton drove through the Knights' defense for a layup and a 64-60 lead.

Stoughton's basket gave No. 5-ranked Alemany (18-7, 10-0) the necessary cushion to preserve another undefeated league season.

"Tonight was a game where we could have died and we didn't," Alemany coach Melissa Hearlihy said. "I think this game was good for our mental ability and self esteem."

It was also good for Notre Dame, even in losing, as it provided a good test before the Knights move into the Division III-A playoffs.

"I feel like this is the greatest game we've ever played," Notre Dame coach Rob DiMuro said. "Win or lose doesn't matter at all."

DiMuro could make such a statement, considering that Notre Dame rebounded from a flat start. The Knights were trailing 45-25 and had allowed Funicello to score 22 points midway through the third quarter.

But Eden hit a pair of 3-pointers to start what would be a 17-2 spurt. The Knights also double-teamed Funicello, and held her scoreless for the remainder of regulation.