Diggins scores 15 to lead No. 2 Irish women to 71-46 rout of Rutgers

Notre Dame guard Skylar Diggins drives the lane during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond) (The Associated Press)

Rutgers forward Chelsey Lee works between Notre Dame's Natalie Achonwa, left, and Ariel Braker during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond) (The Associated Press)

Skylar Diggins scored 15 points to lead No. 2 Notre Dame to a 71-46 bruising of Rutgers.

The All-American point guard led the Irish in scoring despite playing limited minutes. Coach Muffet McGraw benched her with 8:55 left in the first half after Diggins was whistled with a technical foul for jumping up and down in protest of a foul called against her. Notre Dame took a 37-17 lead into the break.

Diggins had scored nine in the first half and re-entered the game to start the second half. She added six more points before McGraw pulled her and other starters because of the lopsided score.

Notre Dame freshman guard Jewell Lloyd followed with 14 points, helping to give the Irish (14-1, 3-0) their sixth conference home opener win in the past seven seasons.

Erica Wheeler led Rutgers (9-7, 0-3) with 17 points.