Despite a resilient effort, Notre Dame (10-12, 4-7 ACC) fell short against Florida State (14-9, 5-7 ACC), dropping a 67-60 decision Tuesday night at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The Seminoles snapped a four-game losing streak behind a dominant interior performance and clutch plays down the stretch, while the Irish dropped their second straight ACC game.
Burton Shines, but Irish Struggle from the Field.
Freshman Markus Burton led the charge for the Fighting Irish with 25 points on 10-of-22 shooting, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Tae Davis added 14 points and 9 rebounds, but Notre Dame’s overall 36.5% shooting from the field hindered their ability to sustain offensive momentum.
Florida State Closes Strong
The game remained tight throughout, with Notre Dame briefly grabbing a 46-45 lead midway through the second half. However, the Seminoles responded with timely defensive stops and efficient shooting, pulling away late behind a 21-point, 8-rebound performance from Jamir Watkins. Malique Ewin was a force inside, recording a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, helping Florida State control the paint and capitalize on Notre Dame’s missed opportunities.
Key Factors in the Loss
- Shooting Woes: The Irish struggled offensively, hitting just 36.5% from the field and 46.2% (6-of-13) from the free-throw line.
- Missed Opportunities: Despite out-rebounding Florida State 36-33 and forcing 18 turnovers, Notre Dame couldn't fully capitalize on second-chance points.
- Florida State’s Efficiency: The Seminoles shot 49.0% from the floor, made 16-of-19 free throws (84.2%), and executed key plays in crunch time, including a late dunk by Watkins that helped seal the win.
Looking Ahead
With the loss, Notre Dame continues to search for consistency in ACC play. The Irish return home, looking to bounce back in their next matchup on Saturday against Virginia Tech.
Check out Len Clark's full stats breakdown of this game on the Len Zone!