January 30, 1999
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Freshman forward Troy Murphy scored 26 points and senior center Phil Hickey added 15 as Notre Dame defeated Providence 81-62 Saturday in a Big East matchup.
Murphy also grabbed 12 rebounds as the Irish (11-11, 5-6) beat the Friars for the second time this season.
Providence (13-8, 6-5) was led by Sean Connolly’s 15 points. Jamel Thomas added 14 for the Friars.
The Irish put together a 14-straight point first half streak to establish the lead and then put the game away with a 25-6 run midway through the second half.
The Irish reversed an early 15-8 Friar advantage, running off 14 straight points and establishing a 22-15 edge before Leon Brisport converted two free throws to end the streak with nine minutes to go before halftime. Hickey and Murphy scored four points apiece during the run.
Three 3-pointers by Connolly brought the Friars back but the Irish scored six straight late to establish a 40-31 halftime edge.
Providence scored 10 straight points early in the second half to build a 47-46 lead. The Irish then went on a 25-6 run to make it 72-52 when Murphy scored on a rebound with 5:11 to go.