Evan Turner put in another great performance against
out-matched Notre Dame guards on Saturday scoring 28 points and grabbing 10
rebounds. He also had 5 assists to go along with a pair of steals.
By Steve Patterson
Notre Dame at Full Strength
Notre Dame was at full force for the game having Luke Harangody
return from pneumonia to score a team high 25 points and bring in 16 rebounds.
But the off shooting day by Kyle McAlarney (3-11 and 0-6 from beyond the arc)
made a Fighting Irish win hard to achieve.
Freshman Play Well
BJ Mullens and Williams Buford both came off the bench to
contribute in the first half helping to keep the game close before the break. Buford
looked smooth scoring 9 points in 24 minutes, hitting mid-range jump shots with
ease. Mullens played 18 minutes and was able to score 11 points and pull down 7
rebounds for the Buckeyes.
Matta and Defensive
The defense of Ohio
State was their strength
throughout the game as they consistently pressured far beyond the three point
line and full court pressed the Irish the entire game leading to a number of
turnovers for easy baskets with limited defenders on the break.
Head Coach Thad Matta played with a limited number of personnel,
keeping to the five starters Turner, Dallas Lauderdale, Jeremie Simmons, David
Lighty and John Diebler for the most part. But he also got his three best bench
players into the action early with Mullens, Buford, and Anthony Crater all
seeing playing time.
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