CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Notre Dame (11-6, 1-3 ACC) went toe-to-toe with No. 13/15 North Carolina (13-4, 3-1 ACC) on the road Tuesday evening but the Tar Heels made enough plays down the stretch to come away with a 75-69 win.
Junior John Mooney turned in a big performance for the Irish, scoring 16 points and grabbing a career-high 19 rebounds for his ACC-best ninth double-double. Freshman Prentiss Hubb scored a career-high 18 points and sophomore D.J. Harvey added 15.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish knocked down six shots from beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes of play to take a 36-33 lead over the Tar Heels into the halftime intermission. Freshman Nate Laszewski buried a three right before the halftime buzzer to cap an 8-0 run to finish the half.
Notre Dame limited UNC’s high-powered offense to just two fast break points in the first frame and the Irish offense was very balanced, as all eight players who saw action scored.
Hubb knocked down a three-pointer to begin the second stanza, giving the Irish their largest lead of the night at 39-33. The Tar Heels managed to claw back and level the score at 45-45 with 16 minutes left in regulation. Over the next 10 minutes of action the lead changed hands nine times, with the hosts taking the lead for good at 60-58 off a made three-pointer.
The Irish hung around in the final minutes but were unable to put a run together and fell by a final score of 75-69.
NOTRE DAME PLAYER OF THE GAME
Mooney continued his string of impressive outings by turning in his ACC-best ninth double-double in a hostile road environment at North Carolina. The junior scored 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting and pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds. The forward made his mark at the defensive end, setting a career high for blocks with four.
NOTRE DAME STAT OF THE GAME
The Irish recorded eight blocks against the Tar Heels, marking the most the team has posted in an ACC game this season. Mooney led the way with a career-high four blocks, while Juwan Durham added two.
NOTES OF THE GAME
- The Irish connected on 10 three-pointers on Tuesday, marking their ninth game of nine or more three-point makes in a game this season.
- For the eighth time this season the Irish finished with seven or more blocks.
- Hubb finished with a career-high 18 points, marking his sixth game this season with 10 or more points.
- Mooney produced his team and ACC-best ninth double-double of the season with 16 points and 19 rebounds. The junior now has 10 in his career.
- With 15 points, Harvey turned in his 11th double-digit scoring performance of the season and 15th of his career.
- Making his second consecutive start, Nate Laszewski becomes the fourth Notre Dame true freshman to record at least two starts this season.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame return home for a conference clash against No. 17/16 NC State at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 19 in Purcell Pavilion. The game will be broadcast on Raycom Sports.
To purchase tickets Notre Dame men’s basketball tickets visit UND.com/BuyTickets.
— ND —