(This story has been updated to correct a typo.)
A less experienced Notre Dame team might have panicked when a mid-major opponent was making a run. For a while, Buffalo was doing just that at Purcell Pavilion. But the Irish stayed strong, retook control and held onto it just long enough in an 86-77 win.
The Irish (2-0) saw their eight-point lead turn into a seven-point deficit in the first half. A Ryan Sabol 3-pointer in the final seconds gave the Bulls (2-1) a two-point lead going into halftime.
The Irish moved the ball much better at the start of the second half and tightened up their defense, going on a 24-2 run to begin the frame. But the Bulls whittled that 20-point lead down to seven more than once, so this game’s outcome was in doubt up until the final minute.
[autotag]Tae Davis[/autotag] capped his career-high 27-point night with four clutch free throws to create enough distance and ensure the victory, one in which the Irish couldn’t take their eyes off the Bulls for very long except for the hot start to the second half. Davis made 12 of 13 free throws during the game.
[autotag]Markus Burton[/autotag] flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. He also registered a game-high three steals.
[autotag]Braeden Shrewsberry[/autotag] also scored 19 points and was the only Irish player to make two 3s on a night the team made only five of 20 attempts from beyond the arc. [autotag]Kebba Njie[/autotag] had 12 points with four of his five field goals coming on dunks.
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.
Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89