Notre Dame Falls Just Short of Top-25 Upset as Virginia Survives in Double OT
Cole Certa poured in a career-high 34 points for Notre Dame (11-10, 2-6), but it wasn’t enough as visiting No. 17 Virginia (17-3, 6-2) had just a little more in the tank, escaping with a 100-97 win in double overtime.
The Fighting Irish came out firing, a welcome sight for head coach Micah Shrewsberry.
Notre Dame built an early cushion behind red-hot three-point shooting, racing out to a 39-20 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the first half.
Certa knocked down three of his five attempts from beyond the arc, while Braeden Shrewsberry was a perfect 4-for-4 from deep in the opening 20 minutes.
As a team, the Irish connected on 8-of-13 from three-point range and carried a 44-35 lead into the break despite a late Virginia push.
That momentum carried over for the Cavaliers, who opened the second half with a decisive 17-2 run to grab a 57-54 lead with 8:20 remaining.
Freshman big man Thijs De Ridder led Virginia with 32 points and eight rebounds, consistently getting to the free-throw line. De Ridder finished 14-of-15 from the line.
Notre Dame had multiple chances to secure Micah Shrewsberry’s first Top 25 victory, but timely baskets proved elusive down the stretch.
At the end of regulation, Devin Tillis hit two free throws with 18 seconds left to tie the game at 73. Certa’s potential game-winner from three missed, and after the ball was tapped out of bounds by Virginia with 0.7 seconds remaining, Shrewsberry’s open look at the buzzer fell short, sending the game to overtime.
At the end of regulation, Devin Tillis hit two free throws with 18 seconds left to tie the game at 73. Certa missed a three-pointer, but the ball was tapped out of bounds by Virginia with 0.7 seconds left. Shrewsberry missed an open three at the buzzer to go into the first overtime.
In the first extra period, Certa again delivered, sinking two free throws to give Notre Dame an 85-82 lead with 19 seconds left. Virginia answered when Sam Lewis, who finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, drilled a three-pointer with three seconds remaining to force a second overtime.
Virginia ultimately sealed the win at the foul line in the second overtime. The Cavaliers won the rebounding battle 40-35 and received 33 points from their bench, while Notre Dame managed just three bench points.
“We're not in the moral victories, nothing about us is about that,” Shrewsberry stated. “We are about the process. We are about using every opportunity to learn and keep getting better. That's what this team is doing.
“A lot of people have counted us out. Nobody gave us a chance to win this game. People quit on us a long time ago. These dudes have kept coming, kept fighting, kept competing, and trying to play their best basketball as the season goes on. I wanted this so bad for them.”
Certa had the best game of his career and while they didn’t get the win, the sophomore was proud of his team’s ability to fight.
“It’s hard, especially when you're right there and you think you got it for a sec,” said Certa. “It's just hard to close out games against really good teams. I felt like we really deserve this one tonight. Sometimes, it just doesn't go your way. I was just really proud of everyone. Both teams made big runs, and both teams responded.”
Jalen Haralson finished with 20 points and seven assists for the Irish. Shrewsberry added 18 points and four assists, and freshman Brady Koehler continued his strong play with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
NO FOUL
Up three with 19 seconds remaining in the first overtime, Shrewsberry elected not to foul. The decision was a direct reflection of what happened earlier this month at Cal, when Notre Dame surrendered a four-point play in a similar situation.
Shrewsberry admitted fouling crossed his mind, a decision he’s done throughout his coaching career, but ultimately decided against it.
“I was a little gunshy,” stated Shrewsberry. “Last time that happened, got four point play, right? We were just gonna guard it out, guarded the whole possession. Somebody was standing there straight up and down with a contest and the dude made a tough shot.”
It’s a tough pill to swallow when both decisions have led to losses, but it’s also understandable after losing games on a four-point plays twice during his time in South Bend.
“I gotta live with that,” explained Shrewsberry. “I'm not gonna let the same mistake happen to me twice, right? We lost in North Carolina on a four point play. We lost in Cal on a four point play. I was gonna let our guys try and keep playing.”
KOEHLER FLASHING
It’s been a productive month for Brady Koehler.
The Indianapolis native has gone from a reserve role to starting each of the last three games, and Tuesday night was another clear step forward. Koehler posted a double-double while also recording four blocks and three steals before fouling out in the second overtime.
“We really emphasize defense in practice,” stated Koehler. “So just being in the right spots, having the confidence to know what you're supposed to do in certain situations, it put me in a lot of good spots. Things just happen to my benefit and the team's benefit.”
Virginia provided a strong measuring stick for Koehler, as the Cavaliers featured a deep and experienced frontcourt, including Thijs De Ridder, who turns 23 later this week.
Despite a difficult January overall, Koehler has been one of Notre Dame’s bright spots and is quickly becoming a piece Shrewsberry can build around.
“I just gotta keep staying consistent throughout the year,” said Koehler. “I think I've been a little inconsistent and that's why my minutes have been all over the place. But going forward, I just need to keep working on myself, working with the rest of the team and see where it goes.”
UP NEXT
Notre Dame will hit the road on Saturday for a 6:00 PM ET tip at Syracuse.
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