SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame men’s basketball team (7-2) got it done on both ends of the floor when it counted on Wednesday night, defeating Boston University (5-5) by the score of 81-75. Whether it was pouring in 24 points over a five-minute stretch in the second half, recording a key steal in the final minute, or converting your free throws in crunch time, the Irish did what it needed to do to protect its court and improve to 21-2 in Purcell over their last 23 at home.
Cormac Ryan was cooking once more, achieving his second 20+ point effort over the last three games, knocking down 21 tonight. Ryan shot 6-of-7 from the field and 4-for-4 from deep. In fact, Ryan is now 14-of-19 from three over his last three games.
Then there was Trey Wertz who secured 16 points, with 14 coming in the second half. He was 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and 6-of-12 overall from the field. Wertz also boasted a team high four assists.
Freshman JJ Starling accomplished his sixth double-digit scoring performance in nine games with 15 tonight. Starling was perfect from the free-throw line, going 6-for-6. Both Dane Goodwin and freshman Ven-Allen Lubin added nine points each, as the latter made the aforementioned important steal in the final minute.
How It Happened
The Irish fired off an early 8-0 run to garner a 10-3 lead thanks to a 3-for-4 start from Ryan, which included two three-pointers. Midway through the half, the Irish recorded an 11-0 run over 2:27 thanks to three treys from three different ND players – Starling, Ryan and Goodwin – pushing the lead to 27-14.
All-and-all, Notre Dame took a 36-29 lead into halftime behind 11 first-half points from Ryan.
Boston University started the second half hot from beyond the arc, converting three treys to notch an 11-2 run and claim a 40-38 lead.
The Irish response – a 9-0 run. Ryan hit a three, then Wertz connected from deep. Ryan got a steal thend dished to Wertz for another three. Then Ryan took a charge on the defensive end to head into the media timeout up 47-40.
In fact, from 16:37-13:22, Wertz scored 12 of the team’s 16 points in that stretch, building the lead to 57-44.
Starling got in on the action next, recording a stretch of six straight points to make it 70-55 Irish.
The Terriers had some bark in them around five-minutes remaining, firing off a quick 8-0 run, capped by their 11th three-pointer of the game, to pull within striking distance at 72-66.
Out of the 2:48 media timeout, Notre Dame got the points churning again via the frow-throw line. Ultimately, Ryan made five, Goodwin made three and Lubin made one.
Later up 77-72, Lubin was subbed in for a defensive stand and it paid off, picking up the steal, getting fouled, then converting his free throw.
The Irish earned the 81-75 win behind a 49.1 percent shooting night, a 9-for-17 mark from three and 20-for-24 mark from the free-throw line. The Irish also limited their turnovers, only committing eight in the contest.
Up Next
The Irish conclude its homestand with marquee matchup for a marquee event. Notre Dame will host Marquette on Sunday, Dec. 11 for its Ring of Honor game, as John Schumate’s banner will officially be hung in the rafters. Sunday’s match will tip at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with the Ring of Honor ceremony taking place at halftime.
— ND –