NOTRE DAME, Ind. – On a day that honored a Washington, D.C., Notre Dame legend in Bob Whitmore, the latest Irish D.C. product in freshman Prentiss Hubb stepped up and sank two huge free throws with 2.6 seconds left to give Notre Dame (11-5, 1-2 ACC) a 67-66 lead over Boston College (9-6, 0-3 ACC) and a much-needed victory. The final score of 69-66 gave the Irish their 12th straight win over the Eagles.
Facing a bevy of injuries and illnesses, Notre Dame was shorthanded against Boston College on Saturday afternoon, as only six scholarship players were in uniform for the contest. Junior John Mooney stepped up and turned in a monster performance, scoring 27 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Hubb also had a career performance, finishing with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.
The Irish honored Whitmore at halftime, inducting the 1969 graduate into the Purcell Pavilion Ring of Honor. Notre Dame improves to 8-0 in games in which an induction has occurred.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish got off to a good start against the Eagles, utilizing a 10-0 run midway through the first frame to take a 19-12 lead. The two sides played even for the remainder of the half, as the Irish took a six-point advantage into the half at 31-25. Hubb and Mooney carried the Irish in the opening 20 minutes, as Hubb had 11 points while Mooney added 10.
The Eagles managed to cut the deficit to just three points at 36-33 with over 18 minutes left in regulation but Notre Dame responded and reeled off 13 of the next 15 points to take its largest lead of the game at 49-35.
Boston College refused to go quietly, as the Eagles chipped away at the lead and made it a four-point affair with 10 minutes left in the game. Once again, the Irish abruptly answered by scoring the next seven points to regain control at 58-47 with under eight minutes to play.
The Eagles made one final rally in the closing minutes and managed to take their first lead of the second half at 66-65 with 15 ticks left on the clock after Ky Bowman recorded a steal and layup. Hubbs answered by getting fouled with 2.6 seconds left and knocking down the clutch free throws. After a Boston College turnover, freshman Dane Goodwin connected on two free throws with 0.2 seconds left to deliver the Irish the victory.
NOTRE DAME PLAYER OF THE GAME I
The Irish leaned on Mooney on the offensive end, as the junior dominated underneath. The forward was very efficient, finishing 8-of-13 from the floor and 9-of-9 from the free-throw line to lead the team in scoring with a career-high 27 points. Mooney also grabbed 12 rebounds to complete his ACC-best eighth double-double of the season.
NOTRE DAME PLAYER OF THE GAME II
Forced into playing a larger role in the offense due to injuries and illnesses, Hubb rose to the occasion against Boston College with his best offensive performance of his collegiate career. The freshman scored a career-high 16 points and knocked down a career-best four shots from beyond the three-point line to give the offense a major boost.
NOTRE DAME STAT OF THE GAME
The Irish got the job done from the free-throw line, finishing 20-of-23 (87 percent) from the charity stripe, including 4-for-4 from freshmen in the final seconds to give the Irish the win.
NOTES OF THE GAME
- Notre Dame improves to 22-10 against Boston College in the all-time series. The Irish increase their winning streak in the series to 12 games, which is the second-longest active streak against Division I foes for the Irish.
- The Irish are a perfect 11-0 against the Eagles in ACC play.
- For the first time in the Mike Brey era the Irish started three true freshmen in a game, as Hubb, Laszewski and Goodwin each earned starts against the Eagles.
- Mooney produced his team and ACC-best eighth double-double of the season with 27 points and 12 rebounds. The junior now has nine in his career.
- With 16 points, Hubb turned in his fifth double-digit scoring performance of his career.
- Laszewski was active on the boards, pulling down a career-high 10 rebounds.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame hits the road for an ACC clash against No. 12 UNC at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jan. 15 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
To purchase tickets Notre Dame men’s basketball tickets visit UND.com/BuyTickets.
— ND —