Notre Dame Overcomes Louisville in OT

Filed under: Louisville, Notre Dame, Big East

It sure seemed inconsequential at the time. A questionable technical foul call against No. 16 Louisville (18-6, 7-4) gave No. 8 Notre Dame (20-4, 9-3) a couple extra points, and the Irish capitalized in overtime, winning 89-79 in South Bend.

Kyle Kuric threw down a thunderous dunk and was fouled just before halftime but was whistled for a technical. Taunting was the explanation, and replays only show a moment's stare by Kuric in the face of Scott Martin who lay on the floor. In the end, Louisville went to the locker room up four instead of six, and the two points the Cards handed to the Irish would have been useful at the end of regulation.

The game appeared headed for overtime throughout, as the teams traded leads and runs in a nip and tuck affair. Louisville jumped out to an eight-point first-half lead but couldn't hold on. Similarly, the Irish held several second-half leads but couldn't close the deal in regulation. Again, Peyton Siva made a couple of late buckets for the Cards, and it seemed as if Louisville was on its way to yet another big, close win.

Preston Knowles' deep three clanged off the rim as time expired in regulation, though, and the game went to overtime. The Irish dominated from there, scoring the period's first 14 points and burying the Cardinals.

Aside from the dunk, Kuric was virtually unstoppable, scoring a career high 28 points. Terrence Jennings added 14 points, and Knowles chipped in with 13.

Ben Hansbrough led Notre Dame with 25 points, and his backcourt mate Tim Abromaitis had 23 points and seven boards.

How it was won: Perhaps the biggest play of the game came early in overtime when Louisville's Jennings fouled out trying to secure an offensive rebound. He had been causing problems for Notre Dame in the paint, and once he was out the Irish were able to take advantage. Baskets came much easier, and they were able to go on that huge run in overtime.

How it was lost: At the end of regulation, Louisville had two chances to score and break the tie. Both times, though, the Cardinals failed to get the ball inside and they came up empty in the final minute.

Where to from now: Louisville's final seven games are decidedly more difficult than its first 11 in conference, and the stretch run will begin with a visit from Syracuse Saturday. Notre Dame, on the other hand, will get four straight against unranked foes, though one of those games will be a match up with West Virginia in Morgantown.

 

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