NEWARK, N.J. - Jack Cooley had 13 points and 11 rebounds and Notre Dame turned in its best defensive effort of the season in limiting Seton Hall to its lowest point total since 2005 in a 55-42 Big East victory Wednesday.
"We talked on Monday and Tuesday if we could be mature enough and be hungry and focused after the huge win on Saturday against Syracuse," Fighting Irish coach Mike Brey said in a release. "Most teams might have been given a pass after a win like that, but for this team to be mature enough to get a win like this makes me proud."
Jerian Grant had 15 points and Eric Atkins 14 as the Irish (13-8, 5-3) followed their victory over previously unbeaten and then-No. 1 ranked Syracuse with another impressive performance.
"In some ways this game is bigger than Saturday (versus Syracuse) because we handled a great win so well mentally and turned around and beat a really good team on the road," Brey said. "I told our team `If you get this one, I think you're showing signs of possibly being special,' and they delivered."
The 42 points were the fewest for the Pirates since a 93-40 loss to Duke on Nov. 16, 2005.
Jordan Thoedore had 11 points to lead Seton Hall (15-5, 4-4), which shot 26.3 percent for the game on 15-of-57 shooting.
"Seton Hall was shooting 48 percent from three-point range here at home and we did a heck of a job guarding the arc tonight," Brey said.