Notre Dame Basketball: Irish Fall to Indiana 80-77 in Overtime

The Notre Dame basketball team fell in a game of runs and a nail bitter to IU 80-77 in the Crossroads Classic

Weaknesses showed early in this one. Notre Dame was able to force many turnovers against Indiana to start off the game. But the Irish struggled and were unable to rebound once again.

The beginning of the game came with many one-and-done offensive possessions for Notre Dame as they continued to struggle in the rebounding department.

But then, the turning point happened halfway through the first half. John Mooney came off the bench and sent an IU shot into the stands. A few short possessions later, Nick Djogo also coming off the bench knocked down a three from the wing and that’s exactly what Notre Dame needed to kick off an Irish run.

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The Hoosiers struggled shooting, so Notre Dame invited them to keep trying as they played a 2-3 zone. IU shot only 25% from beyond the arc in the first half with just three 3-pointers.

As Notre Dame’s offensive run started to slow down just before the half, IU began to work the ball inside and hit a few key baskets. After being down by 14 IU would go on an 11-3 run to slowly get themselves back into it.

IU tried to slow down Bonzie Colson with a double team, but he would still come away with 12 points and five rebounds in the first half. Notre Dame would go to the locker room up 31-25.

Second Half

The second half game with a short-lived IU to pull it into a one-point game. Back-to-back three-pointers for Notre Dame would be followed by an old fashion three-point play from Bonzie Colson put the Irish on a 9-0 run.

The second half came with a lot of back and forth runs. But the Irish were able to keep a lead throughout the majority of it.

With a pair of free throws, Colson put Notre Dame up 61-53 with 4:24 left in the game to give him 21 points, his fifth 20-point performance of the season.

The Hoosiers were able to keep it close. A one-possession game with just 21 seconds left after a missed shot from Rex Pflueger resulted in a last-second opportunity for IU. Juwan Morgan put in a well-defended shot from Austin Torres to tie it up at 65.

Torres had a chance to win it at the line with two free throw attempts and 0.8 seconds on the clock, but couldn’t convert on either sending it into over time.

The Irish maintained their 2-3 zone and continued to force turnovers in OT. Colson came out with ice water in his veins. A few rebounds accompanied by a couple points from the senior would give Notre Dame an advantage.

IU rocked in a three with just 1:10 to go to make it a one-point game once again.

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Another rebound off of a free throw for IU resulted in another two points to give the Hoosiers the lead. Colson who finished with 29 points threw up a half-court shot to send it into a second overtime. Halfway down the cylinder, the prayer would bounce out.

Notre Dame falls the IU 80-77 in overtime. The Irish will be back in action Tuesday, December 19th to take on Dartmouth inside the Purcell Pavilion 7 PM ET.