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Notre Dame Offense Impresses in 103-48 Victory Over Catholic

Nov. 7, 2016

Notre Dame Catholic Exhibition Box Score

By Robby Hamman

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — In the final tuneup before the season officially begins on Saturday the Irish impressed against Catholic University, winning by a final score of 103-48 on Monday evening inside Purcell Pavilion. With 103 points, the Irish finished in triple figures in both exhibitions, marking the first time the program has done so during the Mike Brey era.

Four Notre Dame players finished in double figures, as senior guard V.J. Beachem led the team with 20 pionts on 8-of-13 shooting. Junior forward Bonzie Colson added a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing a team-high 13 boards.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Irish dominated from the opening tip in their second exhibition, as the team led by 40 points after the opening 20 minutes of play. Notre Dame utilized a 22-2 run over five minutes of play early in the half to break the game wide open. The Irish made nine shots from beyond the arc in just 18 attempts in the first frame to bolster the impressive first half numbers.

Notre Dame continued its strong play in the second stanza, scoring 42 points on 16-of-33 shooting. The Irish defense held the Cardinals’ offense in check for the half, allowing 27 points to give Notre Dame the 103-48 victory.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Martinas Geben did it all underneath for the Irish against Catholic, as the big man controlled the paint on both ends of the floor. The junior finished a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor to finish in double figures with 11 points. Geben also pulled down seven rebounds and blocked a team-high five shots in the winning effort.

NOTRE DAME STAT OF THE GAME

The Irish featured a free-flowing offense, recording 28 assists on the 39 made shots. Eight players dished out at least one assist, with junior starting point guard Matt Farrell leading the squad with eight. Freshman guard T.J. Gibbs also distributed the ball well, posting six assists. More impressively, the two point guards combined for just two turnovers to go with their 14 assists.

NOTES OF THE GAME

  • Notre Dame’s 103 points give the Irish 100+ for both of the exhibition games, marking the first time the team has accomplished the feat during the Brey era.
  • With the win the Irish are 34-0 in exhibitions under Brey.
  • The Irish connected on 11 threes on Monday.
  • Senior Steve Vasturia poured in 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting and added five rebounds and four assists.
  • In his first action since returning from injury, sophomore Matt Ryan scored six points in 14 minutes of play.
  • Notre Dame outrebounded Catholic 53-28.

UP NEXT

Notre Dame hosts Bryant in the season-opener at noon on Saturday, Nov. 12 in Purcell Pavilion.

— ND —

Robby Hamman joined Fighting Irish Media as athletics communications assistant director in September 2016, coordinating efforts for the volleyball and men’s lacrosse program. Hamman is a 2010 graduate of Bethel College, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in sport management and business administration, and earned his master’s degree in business administration from Defiance College in 2013.