Feb. 18, 2001
Postgame Audio
Head Coach Brey | Seton Hall Coach Tommy Amaker
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Eddie Griffin scored 24 points and made big plays every time Notre Dame appeared poised to make a run, leading Seton Hall past No. 14 Notre Dame 74-64 Sunday and ending an eight-game wining streak by the Irish.
The Pirates (13-10, 4-8 Big East) held the Irish to a season-low 32 percent shooting. Notre Dame made just 2-of-23 from 3-point range.
The victory was only the second in the past nine games for the Pirates, who ended a five-game losing streak and won a Big East game on the road for the first time this season. It also was just the second road win of the season for the Pirates.
Defense had keyed Notre Dame’s eight-game win streak, its longest in 14 seasons, but the Irish could do nothing to stop Griffin on Sunday. The Irish also played uncharacteristically sloppy, taking off-balance and quick shots and at times getting caught in the Pirates’ fast tempo.
Griffin was serving a one-game suspension for a locker-room fight during Seton Hall’s earlier 78-76 victory over the Irish. But the Pirates needed him Sunday.
When Notre Dame closed to 70-64 in the final minute and David Graves stole the ball for Notre Dame, Griffin knocked the ball away from behind to Pirate guard Andre Barrett.
The Irish opened the second half with an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 37-35, but the Pirates responded with a 7-0 run as Griffin drove in for one basket then scored on a long, high jam. Darius Lane then hit a 3-pointer to make it 44-35.
When Notre Dame cut the lead to eight with 6:49 left, Griffin scored on a rebound.
Notre Dame got off to a miserable start, making just one of its first 13 shots as Seton Hall took a 12-4 lead. Griffin keyed the fast start, blocking back-to-back shots by Troy Murphy in the opening two minutes and scoring seven of Seton Hall’s first 12 points.
The Irish cut the lead to 17-16 when Murphy put in a rebound with 8:31 left in the first half. But a 3-pointer by Griffin triggered an 11-0 Seton Hall run, with Ty Shine scoring five straight points to give the Pirates a 28-16 lead. The Pirates led 35-27 at the half. Barrett had 17 points, seven assists and seven rebounds and Lane scored 15.
Murphy had 24 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Irish. Matt Carroll had 13 points and nine rebounds and Ryan Humphrey scored 12.