Notre Dame proved itself a worth competitor in this year’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup with No. 22 Ohio State. In fact, it led for the majority of the contest. However, the good times couldn’t last as the Irish blew an 11-point lead in the second half and lost, 90-85.
The game was tied at 75 with three minutes to go, and the Irish (1-2) got within one three times after that. They trailed, 88-85, with 17 seconds left and the shot clock turned off. Some tough defense by the Buckeyes (4-0) prevented an easy shot. Then, with time almost gone, the Irish got sloppy in desperation and ended up throwing the ball out of bounds without even getting an attempt, allowing C.J. Walker to ice the game with two free throws.
After missing all five field-goal attempts in the first half, E.J. Lundell came alive in the second to lead the Buckeyes with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds. He and Walker (16 points) combined to shoot a perfect 13 for 13 from the free-throw line. Justice Sueing also scored 16, and Duane Washington Jr. had 13. Justin Ahrens’ 12 points off the bench were triple the scoring output of the Irish’s substitutes.
Prentiss Hubb scored a career-high 26 points and dished out a game-high six assists. Nate Laszewski came within a rebound of a double-double with 17 and nine. Dane Goodwin scored 16, and Cormac Ryan led all first-half scorers with 15 before being kept out of the points column in the second half. The Irish’s chances for victory were hampered after Juwan Durham fouled out with seven points and nine rebounds, which was pointed out on the ESPN2 broadcast as a rarity for a Notre Dame player.