Irish Fall In Final Seconds To #7/8 Florida State

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame led for most of the night against No. 7/8 Florida State but the Seminoles hit a shot with 3.8 seconds left in the game to escape with a 73-71 win.

The Fighting Irish had three players score in double figures, led by Prentiss Hubb, who had 24 points and six assists. John Mooney tacked on a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds and Dane Goodwin chipped in as well with 16 points and two steals off of the bench.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After jumping out to a 10-9 advantage, Notre Dame went on an 8-0 run with 14:25 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Hubb, to increase its lead to 18-9. The Fighting Irish then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 42-35 advantage. Notre Dame relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down seven shots to account for 21 of its 42 points.

Following intermission, Notre Dame kept widening that lead, expanding it to 56-48 before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Hubb’s three, to grow the lead to 61-48 with 10:04 to go in the contest. Florida State then asserted control, outscoring the Fighting Irish 25-10 the rest of the way to hand Notre Dame the 73-71 loss.

NOTRE DAME PLAYER OF THE GAME

Hubb was virtually unguardable in the game, finishing with 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting to lead the team. The sophomore knocked down five shots from distance and finished a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. Hubb’s 24 points are one shy of matching his career high. Hubb also added a team-high six assists.

NOTES

  • Notre Dame finished with 11 three-point makes, marking the 15th time this season the team has recorded double-digit makes from behind the arc this season.
  • Mooney’s double-double is his 25th of the season and 46th of his career.
  • Mooney has 16 double-doubles in ACC play this season, passing Tim Duncan for the single-season record.
  • Mooney is now tied for the program single-season double-doubles record, matching Luke Harangody’s 25 from the 2008-09 season.
  • The 46-career double-doubles moves Mooney into fourth place in the program record books, passing Troy Murphy (45).
  • Mooney also reached the 900-rebound milestone, becoming just the fourth player in the Mike Brey era to achieve the feat and the ninth player to do so in program history.
  • Hubb recorded his eighth game of the season with 20 or more points. The sophomore leads the Irish in 20-point games this year.

UP NEXT

The Fighting Irish wrap up the regular season inside Purcell Pavilion at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday,March 7, as they host Virginia Tech. The game is set to air on ACCN.