Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey said that he was looking to use as many different lineups as he could while on the trip, but the starting five in the first game could be Notre Dame’s starting five for most of the season. Notre Dame started guards Kyle McAlarney and Tory Jackson along with forwards Luke Harangody and Zach Hillesland and center Luke Zeller.
McAlarney, Jackson and Harangody opened the game with back-to-back-to-back three-pointers as Notre Dame started the game on a 9-2 run. Notre Dame finished the game with 12 three-pointers.
Notre Dame led by six, 22-16 at the end of the first quarter, but was able to stretch its lead to 30 heading into the fourth.
Harangody had 15 points and eight rebounds to lead six Notre Dame players in double-figures. Jackson had 14 points while McAlarney and Jonathan Peoples each added 11. Hillesland and Carleton Scott put in 10 apiece.
Peoples scored nine of his 11 in the first half as he replaced Jackson, who had to sit with three quick fouls. Jackson scored eight of his 14 after intermission. Tyrone Nash had nine points and five boards off the bench.
Brey was pleased with the game, but said that his squad still had some things to work on.
“Tonight's atmosphere was great for the fans and for our players,” head coach Mike Brey said. “I thought we did a great job of really focusing on our gameplan after the second quarter. It took us about 10 minutes to get into a flow, but once we settled down, I was impressed with how we played. As we did a year, we demonstrated what an unselfish group we are and how well we play together. I saw some things that we need to work on, but that is to be expected. These games are intended to be a learning experience on the court.”
Notre Dame has Saturday off before heading to Belfast to take on an Irish All-Star team on Sunday afternoon.