Irish Win Conference Opener
Note: Kevin O'Neill is the author or this sory.
The Fighting Irish overcame a poor first half to defeat Georgia Tech 68-59 on Saturday. All five starters scored in double figures with Bonzie Colson’s 22 points and 17 rebounds leading the way. Josh Okogie was the Yellow Jackets’ leading scorer with 15 points, and Tadric Jackson added 15 points in 25 minutes on the court.
The Irish trailed 28-23 at halftime thanks to 9-27 shooting and seven turnovers, but they regrouped and opened the second half with an eight point run that gave them a lead that they never surrendered.
“Their zone was really hard to deal with, especially with the shot blockers back there,” Head Coach Mike Brey said after the game. “It took us a half to figure it out, but I thought in the second half we got a rhythm, and our passing took over.”
Nine of Notre Dame’s 14 second half baskets were assisted, and other passes created inside opportunities that turned into free throws. The Irish made 13 of 15 freebies in the final half.
“I thought our defense helped us escape with a win today,” Brey continued. They’re hard to deal with because you have to guard really long possessions. The zone helped us. It kept us around the bucket, and it has helped us rebound better. Marty (Geben) and Bonz made a concerted effort for defensive rebounds.”
The Irish and the Yellow Jackets were even on the boards at halftime with 18 each, but the Irish had a 27-16 rebounding advantage in the second half. They were especially good on the defensive end of the floor with 18 rebounds on Tech’s 21 missed shots.
Keeping All-ACC center Ben Lammers in check was a key to the victory. Lammers scored 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, but he only shot 5-18 from the field.
“We’re going to go as Ben goes,” said Georgia Tech Head Coach Josh Pastner. “Everything we do on offense goes through Ben. He had 12 and 11, but he wasn’t real efficient.”
The victory was Brey’s 393rd at Notre Dame, tying him with Digger Phelps for the most by an Irish head coach.
“I’m honored to be here that long,” Brey said. “I got the job in 2000 and I hoped I was good enough to not get fired. To be able to coach at this very special place for 18 years is awesome. I would really like to get this over with sooner than later so we can concentrate on the ACC race, but it’s been an honor to be here this long and have the support that I’ve had.”
Brey will get the “sooner” chance on Wednesday when North Carolina State comes to South Bend.
“To get to 2-0 in league play before going on the road would be huge,” he said. “We will turn the page quickly. You have to have a short memory in league play. Good win… flip the script. Gut punch… flip the script. We’ve been good at that here.”
NC State, 10-4 overall, lost its conference opener at Clemson 78-62. The Irish will be favored, but the Wolfpack is capable of an upset as #2 Arizona learned in November. Game time is 9:00 PM EST with the ACC Network broadcasting. Check local listings or watch online.