Nov. 21, 1999
Postgame Audio
? Head Coach Matt Doherty
? Forward Troy Murphy
? Forward David Graves
? St. Francis Coach Bobby Jones
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) – Troy Murphy’s career-high 35 points lifted Notre Dame to a 73-60 win Sunday over St. Francis (Pa.), giving the Irish their best start since the 1988-89 season.
Notre Dame (3-0), which plays Arizona on Wednesday in the pre-season NIT, had a hard time pulling away from the Red Flash, which led only once early in the first quarter.
Though St. Francis (1-1) shot just 32 percent from the field, eight 3-pointers helped keep the Red Flash within striking distance.
Murphy, who led all players with 13 rebounds, was too much for the undersized Red Flash. The 6-foot-10 sophomore, now averaging 29 points a game, capitalized on Notre Dame’s height advantage as he hit 14-of-18 from the field and 7-of-10 from the free throw line.
Notre Dame shot 52 percent from the field, with David Graves adding 12 points for the Irish.
St. Francis trailed by only five at halftime, 34-29. Earl Foreman and Jamal Ragland each hit three 3-pointers in the first half.
Foreman and John McLean each scored 15 points to lead St. Francis.
But the Red Flash couldn’t contain Murphy, who scored 39 points in Thursday’s win over Sienna and 21 in Tuesday’s upset of Ohio State. He had 17 points at the half as the Irish did most of their damage from the paint.
The Red Flash’s 6-7 Tom Fox picked up this third foul less than four minutes into the game. Fox, who fouled out late in the game, finished with just four points.