Notre Dame MBB at Clemson Box Score
The University of Notre Dame men’s basketball team (18-7, 11-3) won its fourth straight Atlantic Coast Conference road game and sixth overall at Clemson (12-13, 4-10), 76-61, at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, SC, on Saturday night.
The entire team contributed to the offensive efficiency of the game, led by 21 points from freshman Blake Wesley on a season-high five three point field goals and 20 points from senior Dane Goodwin. Cormac Ryan chipped in 13 points as well.
The Tigers were led by 19 points from P.J. Hall.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Blake Wesley set the tone early and quickly for the Irish, scoring from all over the court and connecting on his first six shots – with four three pointers. By the time the barrage was over the Irish rookie had put 18 points on the board and Notre Dame had a 25-11 lead.
A long stretch of uninterrupted play followed as Clemson tried to put together a couple runs but each time the Irish had answers. Atkinson Jr., Goodwin and Hubb all scored at the rim to keep the Irish up 38-24 with 2:11 left.
The Irish did hit a scoreless streak over the final three minutes of the half which allowed Clemson to cut the lead to 38-28 at the break. The Irish shot 51.7 percent from the floor, and 54.5 from three point range in the first half. The Irish defense held Clemson to 40.0/22.2.
The Tigers came out hot early in the second half to cut the lead to seven on a run out lay up after an Irish turnover. Goodwin then hit a three of a set play to put the Irish back up 11 with 16:09 left.
Goodwin would eventually put together his own seven point run in the second half to hold the Tigers off. He scored on a turnaround jumper then played great close out defense on a three pointer, leaked out and delivered an and-one lay up in transition to put the Irish back up double digits.
The Tigers tried to keep pace by feeding P.J. Hall in the post but the Irish had their own answers. A big wing three from Ryan on a great find from Hubb was followed by back-to-back baskets from Atkinson to put the Irish up 17 with four minutes left.
The Irish would maintain their lead the rest of the way to earn the 15-point victory.
NOTES
The 18-point half was the second 18-point half of the season for Blake Wesley, who poured in 18 points at Illinois in December • Nate Laszewski, who missed his first career game on Wednesday night against Louisville with a leg contusion, was the first sub quickly off the bench for the Irish.
UP NEXT
The Irish return home to face Boston College on Wednesday in Purcell Pavilion at 7 p.m.