Notre Dame is trying to keep its slim hopes to make the NCAA tournament as an at-large team alive for as long as possible. That almost certainly means winning out for the rest of the regular season, a strong showing in the ACC tournament and then a little love from the selection committee. But it only can take one step at a time, and the latest came in Sunday’s 87-71 win over Miami.
A John Mooney dunk off a Prentiss Hubb steal with less than eight minutes left in the first half gave the Irish (17-10, 8-8) a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Notre Dame led by 19 at halftime, so even though the Hurricanes (14-13, 6-11) scored three more points in the second half, it wasn’t nearly enough to come back.
Mooney recorded his latest double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds. Hubb also achieved a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists. T.J. Gibbs also scored 19, and Dane Goodwin had 14 off the bench.