Feb 6, 2002

Notre Dame vs Rutgers Box Score

By TOM COYNE
AP Sports Writer

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Chris Thomas scored a season-high 32 points, making 7-of-9 3-pointers, and added 11 assists as Notre Dame defeated Rutgers 89-72 Wednesday night.

Thomas got the Irish going immediately, hitting a 3-pointer 31 seconds into the game and passing to Matt Carroll for a 3-pointer 32 seconds later as the Irish made their first five shots and never trailed.

Every time the Irish lagged a bit, Thomas either made a big basket or found someone who did.

The 6-1 freshman scored just about every way possible, hitting fallaway shots, slam dunking on a fastbreak, hitting a 3-pointer from beyond NBA range and converting on a three-point play.

The victory was the fourth straight for the Irish (16-6, 6-3 Big East West Division), who are in second place, a victory behind Pittsburgh and Syracuse.

The Scarlet Knights (14-8, 5-5), who had knocked off No. 17 Connecticut and No. 14 Syracuse in a four-day span, failed in their attempt to win four straight conference games for the first time ever.

The Irish, led by Thomas’ 10-for-14 performance, shot 46.9 percent, their second best outing in a conference game this season. The Irish shot 66.7 in their previous home game, beating Pittsburgh 89-76.

David Graves added 18 points and eight rebounds, Matt Carroll had 14, Harold Swanagan had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Ryan Humphrey had eight points and 14 rebounds. The Irish, who made 14-of-23 3-pointers, had a 46-32 rebounding advantage.

Ricky Shields and Jerome Coleman had 15 points each for the Scarlet Knights and Rashod Kent had 12 points.

The Knights managed to tie the score at 21 and closed to 24-23. But Thomas hit a 3-pointer, scored on a slam dunk then set up Swanagan for a layup as the Irish pulled away.

The Irish led 48-40 at halftime, but Rutgers scored two quick baskets to close to 48-44. Thomas hit another 3-pointer. He hit back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the half as the Irish opened a 69-53 lead. The Irish led by as much as 27, 86-59, when Thomas scored on a layup and made a free throw after being fouled.