Feb. 4, 2006

Notre Dame at Louisville Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Taquan Dean scored 20 points – including a game-tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation – to help Louisville to an 89-86 victory Saturday over Notre Dame, which has lost eight conference games this season by a total of 26 points.

David Padgett had 24 points for the Cardinals (15-7, 3-6 Big East), who extended Notre Dame’s conference misery by taking a four-point lead in the overtime then holding on.

Chris Quinn of the Fighting Irish (10-10, 1-8) scored 31 points, but his running 3-point attempt with 4 seconds to go in overtime fell short. Russell Carter added 24 points for Notre Dame.

After losing its previous four games on the final possession, Notre Dame seemed headed to victory after Quinn made two free throws with 11 seconds left in regulation.

The Cardinals brought the ball up and looked for Dean, who somehow worked himself free. His off-balance 3-pointer from 23 feet fell through the net as time expired.

The Fighting Irish had been notoriously slow starters during a brutal early conference schedule, but Quinn’s hot shooting gave Notre Dame an eight-point lead.

Louisville rallied behind Dean and freshman guard Andre McGee. The Cardinals held Notre Dame scoreless for more than 6 minutes then used three straight 3-pointers by McGee. The freshman took on more of a shooter’s role because of the absence of freshman swingman Terrence Williams, who sat out the game for academic reasons.

The Cardinals were 8-of-13 from 3-point range in the half to take a 44-38 lead, just the third time in conference play they led at halftime.