The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated Stonehill, 89-60, in a solid all-around effort to kick off the 2024-25 campaign. It was the first meeting between the two schools as Division I opponents.
It was a slow start for the Irish as the Skyhawks kept it close through the first 10 minutes of the game. Stonehill trailed by just three midway through the first half, but Notre Dame answered by going on a 10-0 run over the next 1:43. The Irish never looked back, leading for most of the second half by 20 points or more. Three Notre Dame players finished in double-figures.
Micah Shrewsberry's squad looked like a completely different team from last season. Last year, the Irish were known to force shots early in the shot clock. Against Stonehill, Notre Dame was making the extra pass, hitting the open man on double-teams, and getting out in transition. You can tell that this team is more experienced.
Another major key to the win: Rebounding. Notre Dame outrebounded Stonehill 50-23, a whopping discrepancy in the box score. The Irish were too physical, controlling the pace of the game and turning defensive boards into transition points. In the paint, it was much of the same. Notre Dame scored 32 of its 89 points from the key.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish rolls to first win of the season
Sophomore guard Markus Burton played a productive 32 minutes, finishing with 18 points, five assists and three boards. The Irish standout will look to improve his shooting (6-for-17 from the floor), but no cause for alarm.
Sophomore Braeden Shrewsberry looked much improved in the season-opener. While he showed some immaturity last season on his shot selection in certain moments, the 6-4 guard looked poised shooting the rock. Shrewsberry finished with 18 points, shooting 4-for-5 from beyond the three-point line.
Princeton transfer Matt Allocco had a stellar debut in the gold and blue. The fifth-year senior finished with 10 points on a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor. Two of those shots came from beyond the arc, which is exactly what Shrewsberry hoped Allocco would add to this roster.
Other notable contributors included forward Kebba Nije, who finished a point shy of his first double-double in an efficient outing. Freshman Sir Mohammed filled up the stat sheet in his Irish debut, finishing with five points, six rebounds, and three assists in just 17 minutes.
14 Irish turnovers will be a point of emphasis in practice this week, but Shrewsberry should be pleased with his team's first contest of the season.
Notre Dame will have a five-day break before hosting Buffalo on Monday. Shrewsberry will look to go 2-0 for the first time as the head coach of the Irish.