All too often in conference play this season, Notre Dame has been unable to seal the deal in close games. On Monday at least, that all changed. After letting North Carolina turn a nine-point lead into a 14-point deficit, the Irish roared back and won in thrilling fashion, 77-76, after going on a 13-3 run.
Trailing, 76-74, in the final seconds, Notre Dame (16-10, 7-8) had a chance to right its wrong of failing to protect its lead from the Tar Heels (10-16, 3-12). First, John Mooney missed a game-tying basket. Rex Pflueger grabbed the offensive rebound, kicked out to Nate Laszewski, and, well, just watch:
We’re still playing that last possession back, from every possible angle 👌#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/IcKGSsiUqJ
— Notre Dame MBB (@NDmbb) February 18, 2020
Prentiss Hubb led the Irish with 20 points and a game-high eight assists. T.J. Gibbs scored 11 of his 14 points on four 3-pointers. Mooney got back in the double-double column with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Laszewski scored 11.
Whatever the Irish’s chances are at dancing in March (likely small at this point), this will at least keep them in the conversation for the time being.