Nov. 12, 2007
Notre Dame Long Island Box Score
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Rob Kurz had 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots to lead Notre Dame to a season-opening 82-50 victory over Long Island on Monday night.
Luke Harangody added 15 points and six rebounds as Notre Dame dominated inside, outscoring the Blackbirds (1-0) 44-18 in the paint. The Irish also outshot Long Island from outside, making 7-of-17 3-pointers compared with 6-of-24 for the Blackbirds.
The victory was the 21st straight at home for the Irish, who went 18-0 last season at home. The consecutive home victory record at the Joyce Center, which opened in 1968, is 24, set from 1973-74. The school record home streak is 38 from 1943-48.
Long Island has lost eight straight to Big East teams since a 76-73 win over St. John’s to open the 1996-97 season.
Kellen Allen led Long Island with 16 points and six rebounds and Kyle Johnson added 12 points for the Blackbirds, who shot just 28 percent. Luke Zeller added 12 points for the Irish and Kyle McAlarney, who missed the second half of last season after being arrested on a marijuana possession charge, had seven points and seven assists in his return. The Irish shot 52 percent and scored 15 points on fast breaks.
Kurz scored nine of Notre Dame’s first 11 points, including a 3-pointer, then four different Irish players scored on a 10-3 run as Notre Dame went ahead 21-11 and continued to pull away much of the game. The Irish led 39-23 at halftime and Kurz scored six more points as the Irish opened the second half with a 12-5 run.