Walker Helps Lift Miami Past Notre Dame, 77-74
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Freshman Lonnie Walker IV scored 19 points, hitting 5-of-7 from 3-point range, and his deep 3-pointer gave Miami the lead for good as the Hurricanes rode a late 13-0 burst to a 77-74 Atlantic Coast Conference win over Notre Dame on Monday night.
The Canes (19-8, 8-7) trailed 62-57 with 7:51 to go before their decisive run over a span of five-plus minutes. Miami snapped its season-high three-game skid.
The Irish (16-12, 6-9) made their own comeback earlier in the half, erasing a 10-point deficit in a game that featured 11 lead changes.
Notre Dame, adding to its array of injuries this season, played for the first time without regular starter Rex Pflueger, who injured his back in Saturday's win at Boston College.
Miami's Ebuka Izundu, starting for the first time all season, was 7-of-8 shooting and finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots. He had 10 points, six boards and all of his steals and blocks after halftime.
Ja'Quan Newton added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Canes.
Martinas Geben led Notre Dame with 19 points and seven rebounds. Matt Farrell added 16 points, six boards and six assists. T.J. Gibbs scored all of his 11 points after the break.
BIG PICTURE
Miami: The Hurricanes boosted their NCAA Tournament hopes with the victory. Among their three remaining regular-season games, they host Boston College after losing to the Eagles 72-70 two weeks ago, then travel to No. 10 North Carolina.
Notre Dame: ND's perilous NCAA Tournament hopes were dealt a major blow. The best the Irish can finish in the ACC is 9-9, and that would require a win at No. 1 Virginia. A year ago, when a league-record nine teams made the field, Wake Forest got in at 9-9, although Syracuse did not at 10-8.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame: The Irish visit Wake Forest (3-12 ACC) on Saturday, before welcoming Pittsburgh (0-15) for the regular-season home finale on Feb. 28.
Miami: The Hurricanes host Boston College (6-8 ACC) on Saturday in the second meeting between the teams in two weeks.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press.