Notre Dame didn’t just survive without its star freshman. It thrived.
Cole Certa scored a career-high 37 points and Braeden Shrewsberry added 20 points as the Fighting Irish (12-14, 3-10) cruised to an impressive 89-74 victory over Georgia Tech (11-15, 2-11).
The Irish were without star freshman Jalen Haralson, who is dealing with a sprained ankle, but you would have never known it as Notre Dame shot 49 percent from the field, 50 percent from deep and an incredible 17-of-19 from the free throw line.
Head coach Micah Shrewsberry gave his team a little motivation before the game by sharing an experience from his time in the NBA.
“When we were in the NBA, whenever a star was out from the other team, those were the hardest games,” Shrewsberry said. “Other guys who are really good players got more of an opportunity to showcase what they can do and who they are.
“Sometimes there's a lot of good players on your team, and you got to play behind them or work your way through it. When people are out, it just gives an opportunity for guys to showcase what they can do. Cole's been doing it. I thought this was great for Logan (Imes) to just know we believe in him.”
Notre Dame started fast and took a 12-point lead into the break behind 11 first half threes and turning nine Georgia Tech turnovers into 12 points.
The second 20 minutes started with an 8-0 run in the first four minutes to push the lead to 53-35.
Carson Towt ended all hope with a sequence of getting two offensive rebounds on one possession and then finishing it with a layup to put the Irish up 68-44.
Kowacie Reeves Jr. led the Yellow Jackets with 16 points, while Baye Ndongo added 14 points and 12 rebounds.
The Irish defense held the Yellow Jackets offensive attack for most of the game and forced 15 turnovers, which was a point of emphasis all week.
“They did have some turnovers,” said Shrewsberry. “But just us being in position, being there early, I thought our help was way better. The stuff we kind of worked on for a couple days, it translated.
“They made a bunch of threes, little things that we could clean up. I was telling these guys, the pressure was off some, too, right? When the pressure was off now, they make seven threes late when we're up by a big number. We've got to contest it better. We've got to be better in those moments late game to really close it out. I thought how we guarded, I thought we were pretty locked in.”
Notre Dame out-rebounded Georgia Tech 36-23 and scored 17 second-chance points off 13 offensive rebounds.
Logan Imes, who started for Haralson, added 14 points and nine rebounds.
“We do a ton of work all week,” said Imes. “All offseason, all season. Just my growth personally from last year to this year – wanting to help the team win any way possible, whatever that is. If that's being the best defender out there, if that's rebounding, if that's trying to create a place for others and myself, just doing what I can.”
ALL HANDS ON DECK
Certa and Shrewsberry are used to big minutes, but both players played all 40 minutes on Saturday. Imes played 36 minutes and head coach Micah Shrewsberry knew he had to ride his veteran guards going into the matchup.
“I'm just proud of these guys and how they played, how they kept competing,” said Shrewsberry. “At the starting lineup introduction, I went to Logan and I was like, ‘You gotta be ready to go the whole game.’ I turned to my left, I walked over to Braeden, and I was like, ‘You gotta be ready to play the whole game.’ I walked over to Cole, I said, ‘I'm gonna ask you how you're feeling’, and I asked him for a couple of timeouts, and he said, ‘I'm good, I'm good.’ I stopped asking him after eight minutes.”
South Bend has seen a wave of illness over the last week and Notre Dame was among the victims. Certa was listed as probable before the game as he missed Friday’s practice with illness.
“I was a little under the weather yesterday, but feeling a lot better this morning,” explained Certa. “I knew I was going to play yesterday. I wasn't going to not play. We were going through a lot this year and the least I can do is just go and give it everything I got.”
For Imes, there were numerous times he had to get on the exercise bike during a timeout or during his four minutes on the bench. He also had to be stretched out at times.
But there was never a thought of sitting too long on the bench.
“We've had a little sickness going around all week with Brady (Koehler), Cole, a bunch of us a little bit under the weather,” stated Imes. “We're trying to win every game. That's not really in my mind, like, my mind's just not thinking about that stuff. I'm just trying to get back out there to help.”
CERTA GOES OFF AGAIN
If Certa sets a new career-high every other week, Notre Dame could be in a great spot moving forward.
Certa’s 37 points came on 12-of-20 from the field, 7-of-11 from deep and 6-for-6 from the free throw line. It was a masterclass.
Only Markus Burton has scored more points in an ACC game for Notre Dame as he tallied 43 against Cal last season.
Yet, Certa was unaware he was three points away from scoring 40 as he refused to look at the scoreboard.
“I don't want to look at that because, for one, I have done it, I'm guilty of it, and I never end up playing better after I keep looking up,’ explained Certa. “I don't really look at it. I just think about each play and just try to play.”
Certa always has the green light, but entering Saturday’s game, the Illinois native knew he had to be more aggressive with Haralson out.
“Me and Braden talk before every game,” Certa said. “Get good shots up. I wasn't worried at all. We have good players in this team. That next-man-in mentality. We weren't worried at all, even though Jalen's a huge part of our team.”
UP NEXT
Notre Dame will get a week off before traveling to Pitt next Saturday for a 2:00 PM ET tip on ACC Network.
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Silicone Apple Watch Band
