NC State narrowly defeated Notre Dame 66-65 on a game-ending free throw, wrapping up a tense battle that featured 11 lead changes and plenty of late-game drama.
Notre Dame appeared poised to take control in the first half, surging to a 10-point lead at 33-23. But NC State rallied after the break, outscoring the Fighting Irish 40-32 in the second half to reclaim the lead and hold on in the closing moments.
Notre Dame's Key Performers:
Markus Burton was Notre Dame’s offensive leader, finishing with 15 points despite a shooting night that saw him go just 5-of-15 from the field. The senior guard contributed in other ways, adding 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Tae Davis was all over the stat sheet, posting 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, helping to keep Notre Dame’s offense flowing. However, the late-game surge from NC State ultimately kept the Irish from holding their ground. Kebba Njie was a bright spot for Notre Dame, registering a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, leading the team in rebounding and providing much-needed defense in the paint.
NC State's Clutch Performers:
Marcus Hill was the standout for the Wolfpack, scoring 15 points, including a game-tying layup with just 1:07 remaining, which set the stage for a dramatic finish. Jarkel Taylor also stepped up, contributing 14 points on an efficient 5-of-9 shooting performance. Taylor’s timely 3-pointers kept the Wolfpack in the game throughout. B.J. Middlebrooks was also crucial, contributing 10 points, including five key free throws, to help seal the victory for NC State.
Statistical Breakdown:
Both teams shot well from the field, with Notre Dame connecting on 46.2% of their shots (24-of-52) compared to NC State’s 43.6% (24-of-55). The Irish had the advantage from beyond the arc, hitting 42.1% (8-of-19) of their 3-point attempts, while NC State made 37.0% (10-of-27). On the glass, Notre Dame had the upper hand, pulling down 34 rebounds, including 11 from Njie, compared to 29 rebounds for NC State. The Wolfpack did capitalize on Notre Dame’s turnovers, scoring 9 points off 10 Irish giveaways
NC State’s free throw shooting proved to be an advantage, with the team converting 8 of 11 attempts (72.7%) compared to 9 of 13 (69.2%) for Notre Dame.
Game Highlights:
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Notre Dame holding a 10-point lead at its largest, but NC State came out strong in the second half. The key turning point came with just over a minute left when Hill’s layup tied the game at 65-65. Despite a missed jumper by Burton with 3.9 seconds left, Middlebrooks hit a crucial free throw to give NC State the lead with just 0.11 seconds remaining, sealing the victory.
Key Stats to Note:
- Notre Dame’s largest lead: 10 points (33-23)
- NC State’s largest lead: 6 points (18-12)
- Lead changes: 11
- Notre Dame's final field goal percentage: 46.2% (24-52 FG)
- NC State's final field goal percentage: 43.6% (24-55 FG)
Despite the strong efforts of Burton, Davis, and Njie, Notre Dame couldn’t hold off NC State’s late-game surge, falling short in a heart-stopping finish. The Fighting Irish will look to regroup and bounce back in Durham, North Carolina, this Saturday when they face Duke at Noon ET.