Nov. 10, 2006
Final Stats |
Quotes
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Russell Carter scored 20 points and Rob Kurz added 16 points and 12 rebounds as Notre Dame dominated inside to beat IPFW 92-49 on Friday and win their season-opener for the eighth straight year.
Zach Hillesland, who had eight points and three rebounds all last season, also had a double-double, with 11 points and 12 rebounds and freshman Luke Harangody added 12 points and eight rebounds. Eleven players scored for the Irish.
Zeljko Egeric was the only player in double figures for IPFW with 11 points.
The Fighting Irish dominated the Mastodons (0-1) from the start, controlling inside on both ends. The Irish led 55-23 at the half - just two points shy of matching their best first half in six seasons under coach Mike Brey. During the first half, the Irish had 38 points in the paint and outrebounded the Mastodons 26-13. Kurz got the Irish off to a fast start with six points and five rebounds in the first four minutes.
Even more impressive in the half was how the Irish scored their points, with seven players scoring at least six points. Colin Falls, the leading returning scorer, didn't attempt a shot until 13 minutes into the game, when the Irish already were ahead 32-15. He attempted only five shots.
The Irish, who shot 61.5 percent for the half, were active on the defensive end also, repeatedly pressing IPFW. The Mastodons shot just 27 percent and turned the ball over 10 times.
The Irish finished with 50 points in the paint, outrebounded IPFW 54-28 and outshot the Mastodons 54 percent to 27 percent.
The game was a drastic turnaround from the game last season at Fort Wayne, when the Mastodons finished the game on a 7-0 run and had a chance to win at the end.
