March Madness Live Notre Dame Basketball Defeats Rutgers In ...
Overview of the Game
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a thrilling game during March Madness Live on Friday night. The game, played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, saw Notre Dame take control of the game in the second half and hold on for a 64-60 victory over Rutgers.
The Fighting Irish were led by senior guard Prentiss Hubb, who scored 22 points including five three-pointers. Hubb also added six rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the victory. Fellow senior forward Elijah Burns had a strong game for Notre Dame as well, scoring 13 points and grabbing six rebounds in the win.
Rutgers was led by senior guard Jaden Jones, who scored 18 points including four three-pointers. Junior guard Montez Mathis also had a strong game for the Scarlet Knights, scoring 11 points and grabbing six rebounds in the loss.
Game Recap
The game got off to a slow start, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm on offense. Notre Dame led 11-7 midway through the first half, but Rutgers responded with a 12-2 run to take a 19-13 lead with just under eight minutes remaining in the half.
The Fighting Irish clawed their way back into the game, however, tying the score at 24-24 with just over three minutes left in the half. The teams would trade baskets for the remainder of the half, and Rutgers took a 32-31 lead into halftime.
The second half began much like the first, with neither team able to gain much of an advantage. Notre Dame finally took control of the game with just over 12 minutes remaining, going on a 13-3 run to take a 50-41 lead. Rutgers would make several runs to cut the deficit, but the Fighting Irish held on for the victory.
Postgame Analysis
The win was a big one for Notre Dame, who improved to 11-10 on the season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Fighting Irish will face the West Virginia Mountaineers in the next round, in what promises to be another exciting game.
Rutgers was disappointed with the loss, but can take solace in the fact that they put up a good fight against a quality opponent. The Scarlet Knights finished the season with a 16-12 record and will look to build on that success in the offseason.
The key to Notre Dame's victory was their ability to shoot the ball from beyond the arc. The Fighting Irish shot 42% from three-point range, while Rutgers shot just 30%. Notre Dame also won the rebounding battle, pulling down 36 rebounds compared to Rutgers' 32.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the game was a great showcase for college basketball and a reminder of why March Madness Live is such a beloved event. Fans were treated to a hard-fought game between two talented teams, and both Notre Dame and Rutgers can hold their heads high knowing that they left it all on the court.