NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame defeated Miami on Sunday evening inside Purcell Pavilion by a score of 71-61 for its sixth win in its last eight games. With the win the Irish swept the Hurricanes in the season series.
Grad student Nik Djogo turned in his best game of the season, leading the team with a game-high 18 points off the bench. Djogo was joined in double figures by Nate Laszewski (14), Juwan Durham (12) and Dane Goodwin (11).
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish and Hurricanes both struggled on the offensive end in the opening 20 minutes of play, battling to a 31-31 standstill at the half. Neither side led by more than five points in the first frame. Djogo and Durham carried the Notre Dame offense in the first half with a combined 16 points.
Notre Dame came out of the break and built a seven-point advantage with 10:46 left in regulation at 50-43 but the visitors responded with an 11-2 run to take its only lead of the half at 54-52 with under seven minutes to play.
However, it was all Irish the rest of the way, as Notre Dame scored 14 of the next 16 points to go on top 66-56 with 1:36 on the clock and coasted to the 71-61 victory.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Djogo had one of the best performances of his five-year career at Notre Dame on Sunday against Miami. The guard finished an efficient 7-of-10 from the field, including a 2-for-3 effort from beyond the arc to finish with a season-high 18 points. He was also active on the glass, pulling down seven rebounds. Djogo added three assists and two blocks to round out his impressive game.
STAT OF THE GAME
Notre Dame put the clamps on the Hurricanes on the defensive end, holding the visitors to 22-of-68 from the field for a percentage of just .324, which is the second lowest percentage against the Irish in a game this season.
NOTES OF THE GAME
- Notre Dame improves to 14-12 against Miami in the all-time series.
- Five of Notre Dame’s last six wins have been by double digits
- Laszewski entered the game in the top 10 in FG percentage (64.6) and continued his form with a 6-for-8 (75.0) effort from the field.Â
- Goodwin recorded his second double-double of his career and season with 11 points and a team-high 11 reboundsÂ
UP NEXT
Notre Dame is back in action in Purcell Pavilion at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 17. The game will be broadcast on RSN and can be found in the South Bend area on Marquee Sports Network.