Quick Hits: Notre Dame's 76-71 Win Over Wake Forest
Notre Dame held Wake Forest without a field goal for the final eight minutes to help the Irish pull off a 76-71 road win.
Senior point Matt Farrell connected on a tough three-pointer with 5.9 seconds remaining to give the Irish a 74-71 lead.
Here are Blue & Gold Illustrated's quick hitters, notes and stats from the Notre Dame win.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Though the Irish got a great performance from senior big man Martinas Geben, this one goes to Farrell.
The senior point guard scored 11 points in the second half including the game-winner with 5.9 seconds remaining on a contest three-pointer. Notre Dame needed a big shot with time running down in a tied game and Farrell deliver with a tough basket.
A loss would have been devastating for the team’s chances of earning a NCAA bid without winning the ACC Tournament. Farrell calmly hit the dagger.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
Again Geben has a good case here with his steal at the end of the game to keep Wake Forest from even having a chance to tie the game at the buzzer. But, Farrell’s game-winner has to be the pick.
This wasn’t a case where a teammate found Farrell in the corner or he got a wide-open look. Farrell had two defenders around him and he pulled up on a tough basket, but made it look easy and took it with confidence.
Notre Dame trailed by nine with under eight minutes to go, and Farrell was a big part of the comeback capping it off with the game-winner.
STILL BATTLING
Notre Dame still could earn a bid to the big dance without winning the ACC Tournament. A deep run is part of that equation, but a loss to Wake Forest would have likely ended that possibility.
The Irish had their backs against the wall on the road versus Wake Forest and the team’s defense showed up when it mattered down the stretch. Mike Brey and company continue to battle with a long road ahead.
IRISH DEFENSE
Wake Forest had built a nine-point late in the second half with a strong performance offensively. Notre Dame’s defense didn’t seem to have much of an answer until they did.
The Irish defense put together arguably its best stretch of play this season not allowing a field goal for the final eight minutes of game action helping turn a nine-point deficit into a five-point win. Wake Forest also only scored two points during that same stretch as well.
Notre Dame needed to avoid the upset and the Irish defense answered the call.
WHAT THE WIN MEANS
This was discussed a little bit above with the Irish still being in the conversation of an at-large bid with a strong finish and likely deep run in the ACC Tournament.
A loss would have very likely put Notre Dame in a position to have to win the conference tournament in order to continue its play deep into March.
Notre Dame sits at the No. 10 spot in the league standings which would mean playing on the first day. A move into the 5-9 seeds would keep the Irish from potentially playing four or five games in as many days if a semifinal or championship run occurs.
PLUS/MINUS
TJ Gibbs: +5
Matt Farrell: +6
Rex Pflueger: +1
Martinas Geben: +10
John Mooney: +1
Elijah Burns: -3
Nik Djogo: +12
Austin Torres: -7
OTHER STATS OF NOTE
Farrell became the 62nd player in program history to score 1,000 points.
Notre Dame scored 11 points off six Wake Forest turnovers while the Demon Deacons notched four points off seven Irish turnovers.
The Irish won the rebounding battle 36-31 including 10-9 on the offensive glass.
Wake Forest had seven blocks in the loss.
Notre Dame led for just 2:10 of game action while Wake Forest did for 31:24.
The Irish scored 28 points in the paint while allowing 20.
Notre Dame has won five-straight games against Wake Forest.
With 22 points, Geben has scored in double-digits in six-straight games.
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