SOUTH BEND, Ind. – While this isn’t expected to be the best season for Notre Dame, some games should be easier than others. With the Irish having not lost to Western Michigan since 1966, the Broncos’ visit to Purcell Pavilion should have been one of those games. Don’t let that 86-65 final fool you because the Irish had to earn this win.
Before halftime, the Irish (4-4) saw a late 10-point lead whittled down to three before [autotag]Julian Roper II[/autotag] made a 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer. Even when they opened their lead up to 18 during the second half, the Broncos (2-6) kept battling until they cut that lead in half. Fortunately, the Irish responded to that with a 9-2 run that essentially put the game out of reach, and they held serve from there.
[autotag]Tae Davis[/autotag] did the most damage for the Irish, achieving a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. [autotag]Markus Burton[/autotag] scored 17 while dishing out six assists. Off the bench, [autotag]Braeden Shrewsberry[/autotag] contributed 16 points, most of them coming on a game-high four 3-pointers. Roper also had a solid night with 14 points and six boards.
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