Nov 19, 2001

Notre Dame vs. Cornell Box Score

By TOM COYNE
Associated Press Writer

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Chris Thomas scored 22 points, making six of seven 3-pointers, and Jere Macura added 16 points as Notre Dame overpowered Cornell 78-48 on Monday night.

Thomas, who had the first-ever triple-double for Notre Dame (2-0) in his first collegiate start against New Hampshire on Friday, had six assists and six rebounds against the Big Red (0-2).

Macura, starting for a second straight game because of Ryan Humphrey’s two-game NCAA suspension, posted his second straight career-high scoring performance, topping the 14 points he had against the Wildcats. He and Harold Swanagan also had eight rebounds each.

Matt Carroll added 13 points for the Irish and David Graves had 10.

Cody Toppert led the Big Red with 16 points, hitting four of five 3-pointers. Cornell shot just 36.7 percent for the game.

The Big Red took an 11-9 lead when A.J. Castro hit a 3-pointer at 12:15, but the Irish quickly put the game away.

Swanagan, who didn’t start because of some looseness in his right knee, began a 24-3 run by the Irish with a steal and slam dunk. Macura scored 11 during the run, scoring on slam dunks, off rebounds and hitting a 3-pointer. The Irish led 33-14 when Macura scored with 3:13 left in the half.

The Irish led 39-19 at halftime, holding the Big Red to 34.8 percent shooting while shooting 46.9 percent. Cornell couldn’t make a run in the second half.

Humphrey, the leading returning scorer and rebounder from last year’s team, was suspended for playing in a summer league that the NCAA said was off-limits.