NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Irish took on the No. 23 Virginia Cavaliers in Purcell Pavilion but it was a tough battle as the Cavaliers’ defensive strategy proved to be too strong. The Irish kept the contest close throughout but were unable to make up the deficit and lost 66-57.
Juwan Durham and Nate Laszeweski carried the team with a combined 47 points, both setting season highs for points. Laszewski also recorded a career-high in points with a 28 point contribution.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish struggled to create offensive momentum in the early stages. Durham and Laszewski provided the majority of the offense for Notre Dame in the first half. Lasewski finished the last three minutes with a remarkable nine points, including back-to-back threes to total 14 at the break. Notre Dame trailed heading into the second half 30-24.
It was a tough start to the second half with Trey Wertz coming out from a sprained ankle and he did not return. Despite the loss, Durham and Laszewski continued to be key players for the Irish surpassing both career and season personal records.Â
The Irish managed to trim the Cavaliers’ lead to as little as one point at 47-46 with 8:26 left in the game. However, Virginia made enough plays down the stretch and came away victorious with a 66-57 win.
NOTRE DAME PLAYER OF THE GAME
Nate Laszewski was a key player for the Irish and dominated the court with 28 points, a career high, and making 8-of-11 field goals. Laszewski has now recorded 20 or more points twice this season and three times in his career.
NOTES OF THE GAME
- Durham set personal season records with 19 points in the game and five free throws made
- Laszewski scored a career-high 26 points in the game against Virginia
- Notre Dame continued its streak of shooting 75 percent or better from the free-throw line in every game this season, finishing 16-of-21 from the stripe on Wednesday (76.2%)
UP NEXT
Notre Dame starts 2021 with an ACC game against Pitt on Saturday, Jan. 2 at the Petersen Events Center at 2 p.m. The game will be featured on the ACCN.