An offensive explosion in The Pete
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have now won 3 of their last 4 games after torching the Pittsburgh Panthers 84-58 on Pitt’s home court. Cormac Ryan came off the bench and led the Irish with 19 points after a 5-6 performance from behind the three point line.
It was more than Ryan though — it was a team effort in slaying Pitt. Four Irish players ended with double digit points, with Prentiss Hubb also knocking in 5 three-pointers of his own. Juwan Durham was incredibly efficient and went 7-11 from the floor (with a couple of really nice jumpers) for 14 points. Nate Laszewski was held to 7 points and 9 rebounds, but Dane Goodwin put in 16 points and pulled down 9 boards of his own.
The catalyst of Notre Dame’s offensive explosion was because of some solid defensive play that helped keep Pitt from shooting over 31.5% from the floor. Justin Champagnie got his 19 points to stay around his average — but that was by making 8 of 20 shots. Pitt outrebounded the Irish 40-37 with 17 offensive boards, but much of that was because of just how bad they were shooting.
It was a chippy affair as most Notre Dame / Pitt games are. Unlike Pitt, however, Notre Dame kept its composure and kept hitting shots.
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— Notre Dame MBB (@NDmbb) January 31, 2021
Got it done on the road behind double-figure scoring efforts from four players including Cormac Ryan's team-high 19 points (which ties his career high).#GoIrish ?? pic.twitter.com/yKFmRs8KxG
Next up for Notre Dame are the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Tuesday inside Purcell Pavilion. The Irish are slowly trying to get itself in the middle of the ACC pack with a little over a month left in the regular season.