Jan. 9, 2016

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University of Notre Dame Men’s Basketball
No. 24/21 Pittsburgh 86, Notre Dame 82
Jan. 9, 2016
Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center – Notre Dame, Indiana
Postgame Notes

TEAM

• The game marked the 61st meeting between Notre Dame and Pittsburgh, one of the longest-running series in Irish basketball history. Syracuse (48 meetings) and Louisville (32 meetings) the two other most-frequent Notre Dame ACC opponents.

• The Irish own a slight 31-30 advantage in the series with Pittsburgh, including a 17-11 advantage at home.
• Mike Brey is 12-12 all-time versus Pittsburgh at Notre Dame.
• Bonzie Colson (So./F), Steve Vasturia (Jr./G), Zach Auguste (Sr./F), Demetrius Jackson (Jr./G) and V.J. Beachem (Jr./F) started the contest for Notre Dame. The Irish are 10-5 this season with that starting quintet.
• Notre Dame is 21-18 in ACC regular-season play after two-plus seasons in the conference.
• Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey is now 342-170 during his career at Notre Dame and 441-222 overall as a head coach.

• Four players scored in double figures for the Irish: Jackson (26 points), Vasturia (13), Colson (13), Auguste (12).
• Notre Dame shot 54 percent (32-59) from the field, including 45 percent (9-20) from 3-point range. The game marked the eighth occasion the Irish have shot 50 percent or better from the field.
• The Irish were limited to three turnovers overall, which were the fewest committed by the Irish in an ACC game. Notre Dame’s previous low of four turnovers was set versus Clemson (3/7/15). In the first half, the Irish did not commit a turnover, which has only happened once in the Mike Brey era (vs. DePaul; 1/23/10).
• With a 3-pointer at 11:31 in the opening half, Jackson extended the Irish streak to 562 consecutive games with a three-point field goal.
• Pittsburgh led 49-43 following the first 20-minute stanza. Notre Dame is 1-3 this season when trailing at halftime.
• The Panthers started the game hitting 10 of their first 12 field goals. The Irish trailed by as many as 18 points (12:04) in the first half, but rebounded by connecting on seven consecutive field goal attempts.
• Trailing 72-54 at 10:49 in the second half, Notre Dame went on a 14-1 run spanning 2:56 of play. The Irish cut the deficit to five points with the run.
• Pittsburgh outrebounded Notre Dame, 34-24. The Irish are 1-4 this season when failing to hold an advantage on the boards.
• Notre Dame outscored Pittsburgh 40-24 in points scored in the paint.

Demetrius Jackson (Jr./G)

• With a game-high 26 points, Jackson secured the 50th double figure outing of his career and the 13th this season.
• Jackson has earned 20-plus points five times this season and nine times overall with the Irish.
• Jackson went 5-10 from 3-point range. His five made 3-pointers marked a career high. Previously, Jackson connected on four 3-pointers on four occasions throughout his career.

Zach Auguste (Sr./F)

• Auguste has scored in double figures in 12 of 15 games this season. The senior captain has reached double figures in scoring 51 times total during his career.

Bonzie Colson (So./F)

• Colson registered his 11th double figure outing of the season, as well as 16th overall during his career with the Irish.

Steve Vasturia (Jr./G)

• Vasturia has netted double figures in 13 of 15 outings for the Irish. He improved his career total to 38 double figure performances.

V.J. Beachem (Jr./F)

• Beachem has hit a 3-pointer in 14 of Notre Dame’s 15 contests this season. He connected on two from behind the arc versus Pittsburgh.

Matt Ryan (Fr./F)

• Ryan contributed eight points, going 2-of-4 from 3-point range. He has secured a 3-point field goal in 13 of 15 games for the Irish.