Nov. 1, 2006
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame freshman forward Luke Harangody led all scorers with 17 points as the Fighting Irish men’s basketball team opened the 2006-07 exhibition season with a 79-44 win over Rockhurst on Wednesday night in the Joyce Center. Junior forward Rob Kurz notched a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for the Irish.
The Fighting Irish opened up a 14-4 advantage with 13:48 remaining in the first half as senior guard Colin Falls netted one of his three three-pointers on the night. Falls finished the game with 15 points and four rebounds. The Irish lead would not dip below 10 points for the remainder of the contest.
Notre Dame enjoyed its largest lead of the half as Kyle McAlrney nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to put the Irish on top 43-17 at the intermission. The sophomore guard tallied eight points and a game-best five assists.
Senior guard Russell Carter brought the crowd to their feet with just under 16 minutes remaining in the game as he hammered home an alley oop pass from McAlrney to make it a 50-25 contest. Carter was the fourth Fighting Irish player in double-figures as he collected 12 points to go along with eight rebounds.
Sophomore forward Luke Zeller joined Falls, Carter, McAlrney and Kurz in the starting lineup and produced four points, five boards and one steal.
The final 35-point margin would be Notre Dame’s largest lead of the night. John Torson’s eight points and Kevin Martin’s six rebounds led Rockhurst in the game.
Notre Dame shot 31-69 from the field in the game for a 45-percent clip, while holding Rockhurst to just 32-percent shooting on a 15-47 effort. Kurz helped lead the defensive charge with two blocks, while Carter made four steals. The Irish forced the Hawks into 23 turnovers on the night.
The Irish wrap up exhibition play when they host Bellarmine on Monday, Nov. 6 in the Joyce Center. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (ET).