NDOM
Banned
- Messages
- 5,970
- Reaction score
- 479
December 9, 2007
Tim Prister
IrishIllustrated.com Senior Editor
Talk about it in The Four Horsemen Lounge
NOTRE DAME, Ind.—Mission accomplished...quickly.
Matt Cashore
Kyle McAlarney who, along with Rob Kurz, finished with a game-high 17 points.
Notre Dame (7-2) took a double-digit lead just 3:55 into the game, went into halftime with a 32-point advantage, and led by as many as 49 points en route to a 108-62 victory over Northern Illinois (2-7) Saturday night at the Joyce Center.
The victory was Notre Dame's 25th straight at home, breaking the Joyce Center record set more than three decades ago.
"We were really ready to play," said Irish head coach Mike Brey. "When you get out of the gate like that, it really sets a tone.
"We've been a fast-starting team offensively. (The streak) was added focus with what was on the line. They wanted that record."
The Irish shot a blazing 72 percent from the field in the first half, connecting on 18-of-25 shots, including 8-of-12 from the three-point line. Leading the way was junior Kyle McAlarney, who nailed his fourth three-pointer of the game at the 16:05 mark of the first half.
"I'm comfortable shooting here," said McAlarney who, along with Rob Kurz, finished with a game-high 17 points. "I shoot here every day. I got open in transition and my teammates did a good job of finding me."
The fact is virtually everybody was open for the Fighting Irish en route to 57 first-half points and a 32-point lead. Notre Dame shot 54.5 percent in the second half and finished with a 62.1 percent mark for the game.
"This is the first time I've coached a game where the (student) managers came in and made shots," said Northern Illinois head coach Ricardo Patton. "Everyone made shots for them. I was surprised as the game went on how good their shooting continued to be, even with the backups.
"Notre Dame showed us what Big East basketball is all about with their size and strength."
The Irish destroyed the Huskies on the backboards, snagging 52 rebounds to Northern Illinois' 27.
Joining McAlarney and Kurz in double figures were Luke Harangody, who finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Ryan Ayers, who tossed in 11.
All 13 players who entered the game for the Irish scored, including seven and six points respectively by freshmen Tim Abromaitis and Tyrone Nash, and five by walk-on Tom Kopko.
The Huskies, winners of two straight coming into the game after opening the season with six straight losses, shot just 27.8 percent from the field in the first half and a mere 34.3 percent for the game. They played without their leading scorer, senior Ryan Paradise, who suffered a fractured nose against Stephen F. Austin and missed his third straight game.
But Paradise's presence wouldn't have made much of a difference against the Irish, who now have two weeks off before their next game—Dec. 22 at home against San Francisco. The Irish will be shooting for victory No. 26 in a row at the Joyce Center.
"Our crowd has been so good all throughout the streak, particularly the student section," Kurz said. "I think this place is developing into a tough place to play, especially when the students come out and support us the way they did."
Freshman Michael Patton, the son of Northern Illinois' head coach, paced the Huskies with 12 points. Shaun Logan added 10. No other Northern Illinois player scored in double figures.
Notre Dame point guard Tory Jackson left the game late in the first half with a bruised right elbow and did not play in the second half. Jackson departed shortly after shooting two air balls from the free-throw line with 5:38 left in the first half.
Brey said Jackson was fine and would be available for practice Sunday.
Tim Prister
IrishIllustrated.com Senior Editor
Talk about it in The Four Horsemen Lounge
NOTRE DAME, Ind.—Mission accomplished...quickly.
Matt Cashore
Kyle McAlarney who, along with Rob Kurz, finished with a game-high 17 points.
Notre Dame (7-2) took a double-digit lead just 3:55 into the game, went into halftime with a 32-point advantage, and led by as many as 49 points en route to a 108-62 victory over Northern Illinois (2-7) Saturday night at the Joyce Center.
The victory was Notre Dame's 25th straight at home, breaking the Joyce Center record set more than three decades ago.
"We were really ready to play," said Irish head coach Mike Brey. "When you get out of the gate like that, it really sets a tone.
"We've been a fast-starting team offensively. (The streak) was added focus with what was on the line. They wanted that record."
The Irish shot a blazing 72 percent from the field in the first half, connecting on 18-of-25 shots, including 8-of-12 from the three-point line. Leading the way was junior Kyle McAlarney, who nailed his fourth three-pointer of the game at the 16:05 mark of the first half.
"I'm comfortable shooting here," said McAlarney who, along with Rob Kurz, finished with a game-high 17 points. "I shoot here every day. I got open in transition and my teammates did a good job of finding me."
The fact is virtually everybody was open for the Fighting Irish en route to 57 first-half points and a 32-point lead. Notre Dame shot 54.5 percent in the second half and finished with a 62.1 percent mark for the game.
"This is the first time I've coached a game where the (student) managers came in and made shots," said Northern Illinois head coach Ricardo Patton. "Everyone made shots for them. I was surprised as the game went on how good their shooting continued to be, even with the backups.
"Notre Dame showed us what Big East basketball is all about with their size and strength."
The Irish destroyed the Huskies on the backboards, snagging 52 rebounds to Northern Illinois' 27.
Joining McAlarney and Kurz in double figures were Luke Harangody, who finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Ryan Ayers, who tossed in 11.
All 13 players who entered the game for the Irish scored, including seven and six points respectively by freshmen Tim Abromaitis and Tyrone Nash, and five by walk-on Tom Kopko.
The Huskies, winners of two straight coming into the game after opening the season with six straight losses, shot just 27.8 percent from the field in the first half and a mere 34.3 percent for the game. They played without their leading scorer, senior Ryan Paradise, who suffered a fractured nose against Stephen F. Austin and missed his third straight game.
But Paradise's presence wouldn't have made much of a difference against the Irish, who now have two weeks off before their next game—Dec. 22 at home against San Francisco. The Irish will be shooting for victory No. 26 in a row at the Joyce Center.
"Our crowd has been so good all throughout the streak, particularly the student section," Kurz said. "I think this place is developing into a tough place to play, especially when the students come out and support us the way they did."
Freshman Michael Patton, the son of Northern Illinois' head coach, paced the Huskies with 12 points. Shaun Logan added 10. No other Northern Illinois player scored in double figures.
Notre Dame point guard Tory Jackson left the game late in the first half with a bruised right elbow and did not play in the second half. Jackson departed shortly after shooting two air balls from the free-throw line with 5:38 left in the first half.
Brey said Jackson was fine and would be available for practice Sunday.
