March 17, 2004
Notre Dame vs Purdue NIT First Round Box Score
By TOM COYNE
AP Sports Writer
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) – Chris Quinn scored 21 points and Rick Cornett added a career-high 16 Wednesday night, leading Notre Dame to a 71-59 victory over Purdue in first round of the NIT.
The Boilermakers (17-14), who trailed 39-30 at halftime, used a 22-12 run to take a 52-51 lead in the second half. Brett Buscher scored six of his 12 points during the run and David Teague scored seven of his 10.
Notre Dame (18-12), which shot 50 percent in the first half, missed its first 10 shots after halftime. But the Irish made four of five shots down the stretch and ended the game with a 20-7 run. Quinn started the spurt with a basket inside while center Tom Timmermans and guard Chris Thomas made key 3-pointers.
The Fighting Irish, winners of eight of their last 11, will play at Saint Louis in the second round next week. Purdue lost its fifth straight and finished the season 4-8 on the road.
The Irish went 7-for-8 from the free throw line in the final 98 seconds to hold on.
It was the first game between the schools, which are separated by just 100 miles, in 38 years.