After losing five of their last six and being winless in program history at John Paul Jones Arena, the Notre Dame basketball finally earn their first win on Virginia's home court with a dominant 74-59.
This victory over UVA not only was their first win over UVA on the road in program history, but is their first win on the road in ACC play since last February at Louisville. Notre Dame had three players score 10 or more points and exploited Cavaliers weakness, as the Irish secured 10 offensive rebounds.
The Irish were able to bounce back after an underwhelming loss to the Syracuse Orange as their one week off helped guide Notre Dame basketball strengths as they continued to live and die by this undeniable X-factor area.
Notre Dame basketball's destiny relies on undeniable X-factor
Notre Dame basketball dominated on the road in John Paul Jones Arena and secured their first win on the road vs UVA and they did it in dominant fashion. The Irish were led by star guard, Markus Burton, as he had 21 points, which marks 20 points or more in five of his last six games. Burton scored the Irish first nine points in their historic win and led ND to a 14 point lead at half.
Burton tied a career high from beyond the arc as he shot 4-6 from deep and got help from his teammates. The Fighting Irish success this season has relied heavily from the three-point line as they have the fourth best three-point percentage in the ACC at 37%.
Notre Dame as a team shot 52% from three Saturday, 12-23, as Burton led the team with his four, but got help from Braeden Shrewsberry as he shot 3-8 from three. Notre Dame got help from its sidekicks from beyond the arc as Notre Dame was lighting it up from deep to start the second half.
ND had three different players make three-pointers in the first four minutes of the second half to help lead to the largest lead of the game at 27. Irish 12 made three pointers makes is the fifth time this season the Irish have made 10 or more three-pointers from deep. ND averages eight made threes per game this season and nine made threes during the ACC play.
Tae Davis stepped up once again and stacked the stat sheet with 16 points including a three-pointer, and added six rebounds and five assists. Burton left the game and went to the locker room late in the second half, but seemed to be ok as he returned to the game later in the game.
Notre Dame from deep has thrived in ACC play, as they have a season high 14 made three-pointers against Duke, and their 12 made from last night is their second highest of the season.
Notre Dame basketball next game is Tuesday, Jan. 30 against Georgia Tech in South Bend. Irish are now 3-5 in ACC play and are ranked 11 in the conference. Next five games are crucial for the Irish, as they take on Tech, Miami, FSU, VT and BC. Four of the five teams have a below .500 ACC record, and FSU currently is 4-4 in ACC.
Notre Dame basketball's historic win over UVA hopefully marks a turning point of their season and begins their push for March Madness.