Mark Allen
Irish Blue And Gold
ND Men’s Basketball
Rob Kurz scored a career high 25 points while Colin Falls scored 21 as Notre Dame (4-1) overcame a hot shooting Lehigh, 93-87 on Monday night. Lehigh’s Jose Olivero scored 32.
Lehigh (2-6), coached by former Irish basketball player Billy Taylor, jumped out early in this one. The Mountain Hawks, sizzling from the opening tip, jumped to a 12-5 early lead. Lehigh’s largest lead became 13 at 34-21. Time and again the Mountain Hawks were left alone behind the three point arc and made the Irish pay in gaining the lead. For the game, Lehigh hit on 14-of-19 shots from three point land. That is an outstanding and astounding 73.7 percent.
The Irish have to be given some credit, even in a game they should have won handily. Trailing, 49-39, with 4:22 left in the first half, Notre Dame played much better – and as expected. For the remaining 24:22 of the game, the Irish went on a 64-38 run.
Also important in the Irish win was sparkplug, Zach Hillesland. Hillesland is Notre Dame’s energy guy. Coach Brey started Hillesland in place of Luke Zeller in the second half. The move paid off. Hillesland was all over the place on offense and on defense. He also rebounded well, pulling in seven. Perhaps his most important rebound came on a tip in basket. Colin Falls was fouled on a three point attempt. After making his first two, Falls missed the third. But, Hillesland was right there for the tip, the basket and the Irish’ first lead in the second half.
Notre Dame finally gained a double digit lead late in the game. The shooting of Olivero and Kyle Neptune (22 points) kept Lehigh from being blown out. But, despite the final score of 93-87, one had the perception, late, that Notre Dame would win.
Notre Dame placed five players in double figures as far as points. Russel Carter had 14, Zach Hillesland 11 and Luke Harangody 10, in addition to Kurz and Falls.
Both teams shot well from the field. The Mountain Hawks shot 56.9 percent while the Irish hit on 54.5. Notre Dame won the rebounding battle, 32-24. Kurz had 8 and Hillesland, 7, to lead the Irish.
The Irish hit on 26-of-33 free throws. They outscored the Mountain Hawks, 26-7 from the line.
Notre Dame will be back in action on Wednesday night at the Joyce Center. The opponent will be Winston-Salem State. Game time is at 7:30.
Irish Blue And Gold Items
*The game was a homecoming for Lehigh coach Billy Taylor. The former small forward was an Irish team captain in 1994-1995.
*Taylor was not alone on Monday night. He brought 50-60 family and friends. Among them were former teammates Carl Cozen, Brooks Boyer and Lamarr Justice.
*Notre Dame coach Mike Brey presented Billy Taylor with a plaque prior to the game.
*Luke Harangody scored 10 points on Monday night. The freshman has now scored in double figures in each of his first five collegiate games.
Box Score
Lehigh (2-6)
Carrington 2-4 1-1 5, Mgebroff 4-5 1-1 9, Neptune 9-14 0-0 22, Olivero 11-16 5-7 32, Hall 3-7 0-0 8, Gourlay 0-0 0-0 0, White 0-5 0-0 0, Page 0-2 0-0 0, Shamis 1-1 0-0 3, Anderson 3-4 0-0 8, Szalachowski 0-0 0-0 0, Totals 33-58 7-9 87
Notre Dame (4-1)
Kurz 6-9 12-13 25, Zeller 1-1 2-4 5, Falls 6-11 5-6 21, Carter 6-14 2-4 14, McAlarney 2-7 0-0 4, Harangody 4-7 2-2 10, Hillesland 4-5 3-4 11, Ayers 0-0 0-0 0, Jackson 1-1 0-0 3, Totals 30-55 26-33 93
Half: Lehigh 46, Notre Dame 44. Shooting: Notre Dame: 30-55 (54.5 percent), Lehigh: 33-58 (56.9 percent). 3-point shooting: Notre Dame: 7-20 (35 percent; Falls 4-8, Kurz 1-2, Zeller 1-1,
Jackson 1-1), Lehigh: 14-19 (73.7 percent; Olivero 5-8, Neptune 4-4, Anderson 2-3, Hall 2-3, Shamis 1-1). Rebounds: Notre Dame: 32 (Kurz 8, Hillesland 7), Lehigh 24 (Hall 7, White 7). Assists: Notre Dame: 17 (McAlarney 6), Lehigh 18 (Hall 6). Total Fouls: Notre Dame 14, Lafayette 24. Attendance: 8, 178.
