University of Notre Dame - Dome Yearbook (Notre Dame, IN)

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Clp e- Gavvie, Team Posts 20-Win Season After the Georgetown win, the Irish lost a close one to Seton Hall, 78-72. They rebounded against Bttsburgh, though, in one of the most exciting games of the season. With only 0.6 seconds left in the game, Torin Francis put up a shot to pull out the Irish victory 66-64. Chris Thomas had an impressive game against the Panthers, a tum-around from a pre- vious game against Pittsburgh, when Thomas went only 2 of 1 5 from the field. He set the tone for the victory, with 24 points and eight assists. He ' s a big-time winner, and he makes the rest of our group follow along, commented Brey. After this stunning home court victory, the Irish traveled to the Carrier Dome to play Syracuse. Carroll scored 22 points, and Francis Irish head coach, watches his team had 1 7 , but it was not enough for the Irish, as Httsburgh. they let a lead slip away, falling 82-80. The win kept Syracuse unbeaten at home on the season, and also put them a half -game ahead of Notre Dame and Pittsburgh in the Mike Brey, in his third year as In their next away game against West Virginia, the Irish proved that diey still had what it takes, beating the Moun- taineers 56-55, and marking the team ' s fourth-straight 20-win season. The game marked the fifth consecutive game decided by 6 points or less. Tlie Irish had particular trouble on the road- I don ' t think we ' re ever going to win by double digits on the road. I don ' t care what we ' re ranked, Coach Brey commented after the team squeaked by with the win. The Irish were honored with a bid to the NCAA tournament where they faced the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the first round. The Irish pulled out a 70-69 win. Chris Thomas had 27 points in the game. The fifth-seeded Irish were then set to take on fourth-seeded Illinois. In an exciting match- up, the Irish defeated the Fighting lUini 68-60, as Dan Miller shot a career high 23 points. After the victory, the team was off Big East West Division. to California to face top-seeded Arizona in the Sweet Sixteen. by Jennifer Morgan Fac- ' iio Fac- ' t ' Opponent Result Providence W, 71-65 Boston College W, 101-96 West Virginia W, 88-69 Georgetown W, 93-92 Seton Hall L, 78-72 Rttshurgh W, 66-64 Syracuse L, 82-80 West Virgiiua W, 56-55 Virginia Tech W, 98-76 Qmnecticut L, 87-79 Rutgers L,95-82 S Tacuse 1,92-88 Georgetown W, 86S0 St. John ' s 1,83-80 NJCAA Tournament: Wisconsin-Milwaukee W, 70-69 Illinois W, 68-60 Arizona L, 88-71 3t T PooT Forv arM Forward Torin Francis, one of the most sought after high school playets last season, puts points on the hoard fot the Irish. Plioto by Dan Robiimte VU 3 - o k h

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TVirc-c. Poit T W-iKia Senior yuard ;uid top three-point sht«)tcr Matt Car- roll takes the hJl down the amrt. C u ) courtesy of Ihatx Jjfjurtjcfc, Spans InfirmutUinx