Nov. 13, 2006
Notre Dame vs Butler Box Score
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -A.J. Graves scored 28 points and hit the winning 3-pointer with just over a minute to go Monday night, leading Butler to a 71-69 victory over Notre Dame in the first round of the NIT Season Tip-Off.
The Bulldogs (2-0) will play either Lafayette or Indiana in the second round Tuesday night.
Graves, who hit a career-high eight 3-pointers, scored all 18 of his second-half points on long-range shots and brought the Bulldogs back from a six-point deficit midway through the final period. His seventh 3-pointer tied the game at 67, then after Colin Falls missed two free throws for the Irish (1-1), Butler took the lead with a free throw by Mike Green.
Freshman Luke Harangody, the only Notre Dame reserve to score, got the final basket for the Irish before the final 3-pointer by Graves with 1:29 remaining. Notre Dame had two more chances to score, but Brandon Crone blocked a shot under the basket by Harangody, and after a Butler turnover, Russell Carter missed a desperation 3-point shot at the buzzer.