Basketball: Notre Dame and Cal turn the clocks back with record-setting futility

The first half of this game was uglier than Charlie Weiss in a speedo. Uglier than Digger Phelps’ bare ass. Uglier than this former NBA player.

Blame the turkey and the dreaded tryptophan yet again.

Notre Dame led California 21-5 at the half. Yes, you read that correctly, California had just five points in the first half. For those keeping track at home, that’s the second lowest halftime total in the shot clock-era of NCAA basketball. The 26 points combined by both teams in the first half were the fewest in the shot clock-era.

“I was trying to do the math. I’ve never had 21 points at halftime and been up 16,” Irish coach Mikey Brey said.

Cal shot 2-25 in the first half, while throwing the ball around the gym like a third grade girls team. The Golden Bears committed 15 turnovers in the game.

Despite the epic suckiness of California, Notre Dame could not pull away in the first half. The Irish missed their first 15 three-pointers, finishing 1-20 from beyond the arc. Late in the first half, Notre Dame had made only two of its 19 field goal attempts.

Both teams, however, found their scoring touch in the second half. After scoring five points in the first half, California scored 10 points in the first four minutes of the second half. Coach Mike Montgomery’s half time spaz out apparently did its job. (ESPN.com)

"Cal coach Mike Montgomery was so furious with his team’s first-half play he gave his players an old-fashioned scolding in the locker room at the break hoping to ignite a rally. “It was like the bully at lunchtime out on the playground,” he said."

Carleton Scott missed all nine of his three-point attempts, yet somehow led the Irish in scoring with 16 points. Scott also pulled down 10 rebounds.

Tyrone Nash and Scott Martin each added 11 points, while Tim Abromaitis hauled in 11 rebounds.

Freshman guard Allen Crabbe was the only Golden Bear in double figures with 10 points to go along with 10 rebounds.

Notre Dame climbs to 6-0 with the win and will move on to the Old Spice Classic finals where they will face Wisconsin. The Badgers are led by senior John Leuer, who is averaging 23 points per game this season.