Story Created:
Dec 10, 2009 at 9:58 AM EDT
Story Updated:
Dec 10, 2009 at 9:58 AM EDT
SOUTH BEND - Halftime hand-wringing in the home locker room finally was kept to a minimum Wednesday against IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis).
Lacking a complete first half since the season opener, the Notre Dame men’s basketball team responded by busting it open early and taking a 23-point lead at intermission before a 93-70 victory at Purcell Pavilion.
Guard Ben Hansbrough scored 22 points, his highest offensive effort in an Irish uniform after transferring from Mississippi State. Luke Harangody added 16 points and 11 rebounds for his 54th career double-double, two shy of the school record of 56 held by LaPhonso Ellis.
Tim Abromaitis scored 18 for the Irish, who had a season-high 22 assists.
IUPUI , which lost by 44 points in its only previous visit to Notre Dame, fell to 7-3.
Notre Dame (9-1) made quick work of the visitors. The Irish enjoyed scoring runs of 11-0 and 23-7 over the first 17 minutes. After allowing the Jaguars the first basket, the Irish never again trailed. Close first halves at home had been the norm for Notre Dame, which scored a season-high 47 points and led by 31 in the opener last month against North Florida.
The Irish were tied at half in Sunday’s game against Central Florida, and had led by no more than nine points in any of its other five home games. But the Irish were able to get a few good defensive stops, get out and run and get a good working lead.
Everybody in a white jersey got involved in the first half. Harangody flashed through the lane for a short jumper. Jonathan Peoples finished a steal with a one-handed dunk. Carleton Scott rebounded a miss and followed with a slam. Abromaits and Hansbrough hit contested and uncontested 3s. It was a fine flow and show.
Notre Dame shot 53.1 percent in the first half. IUPUI hit 25.9 percent.
Point guard Tory Jackson, who was questionable after suffering a sprained left ankle Sunday, started and played in his 111th consecutive game. He was not asked to do much as far as quarterbacking the club. That assignment fell into the hands of Hansbrough, who responded with a team-high 15 points and three assists in the first half.
Coming off a career-high 31 points against Central Florida, Abromaitis delivered 10 first-half points. Three Irish scored double figures as Notre Dame led 45-22 at the break.
The Irish have one final home game before a week of final exams. Notre Dame closes out its three-game week Saturday at home against Loyola Marymount before returning to action Dec. 19 at home against UCLA.
