Connecticut 65, No. 16 Notre Dame 58: Ryan Boatright hit four key free throws over the final 42 seconds and Tyler Olander added a key steal to prevent the potential tying basket as the visiting Huskies snapped the Fighting Irish’s 12-game winning streak.
Shabazz Napier scored 19 points, Olander added a career-high 16 and Boatright poured in 14 for Connecticut (12-3, 2-1 Big East), which has handed Notre Dame (14-2, 2-1) its only two losses over its last 48 home games. The Huskies also presented the Irish a 67-53 loss on Jan. 14, 2012.
Jack Cooley finished with 14 points and nine rebounds for the Irish, who also saw their 17-game home winning streak come to an end.
After Notre Dame knotted the game at 58 following six consecutive points from Eric Atkins, Boatright drew a foul on a jump shot with 42 seconds left and hit both of his free throws. On the ensuing possession, Jerian Grant drove the lane only to lose the ball to a flat-footed Olander in the lane.
Once Olander collected the loose ball, he spotted Boatright and the sophomore guard hit two more foul shots to extend the lead to 62-58. Notre Dame missed each of its final three shot attempts and DeAndre Daniels closed the game with a layup and free throw to preserve the win.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Notre Dame, which has never started 3-0 in Big East play, allowed its first opponent to shoot over 50 percent from the field. … Connecticut entered Saturday as one of the worst rebounding teams in Division I, but secured a 30-22 advantage on the boards. … The Irish were attempting to string together their longest winning streak since the 1953-54 season when they won 18 in a row.
Connecticut | Notre Dame | |
Shabazz Napier 19 | Scoring | Eric Atkins 18 |
Ryan Boatright 5 | Assists | Eric Atkins 4 |
DeAndre Daniels 9 | Rebounds | Jack Cooley 9 |
Ryan Boatright 5 | Free Throws Made | Eric Atkins 3 |
Ryan Boatright 2 | Steals | Jack Cooley 1 |
DeAndre Daniels 1 | Blocks | Pat Connaughton 1 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Connecticut | 65 | 50.9 | 4-13 | 7-11 | 15 | 30 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
Notre Dame | 58 | 42.9 | 6-13 | 4-7 | 13 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 9 |