Irish get a good look late at a great win, but the decisive shot doesn't fall
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Kihei Clark's fifth season at Virginia has been one of breaking numerous records, and a few opponents' hearts, too.
Clark scored 15 points, including a pair of critical free throws with 22.6 seconds left, and added Virginia's career assist record to his resume in the No. 7 Cavaliers' 57-55 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday.
After the Irish closed to 55-54, Clark converted both ends of a one-and-one. Trey Wertz made the front end of a one-and-one with 3.9 seconds left. He missed the second after a timeout. The ball was tipped out to Dane Goodwin for a potential game-winning 3-pointer, but his wide-open shot bounced off the rim.
“We couldn't ask for a better look,” said Notre Dame coach Mike Brey, who is stepping down after this season. Then he, like several other coaches have this season, bid Clark a hopeful farewell.
“I really don’t want to see him anymore," Brey said. “He is the ultimate winner, man. I said, you are a big-time winner, man,”
Clark, who broke John Crotty's school assist record when he fed Jayden Garden for a short jumper with 17:52 left, downplayed the mark, just the latest he's established this season.
“I think being a point guard, I think this is something to do with, you know, being in that position, but it’s a team award," Clark said, "... the guys make a lot of shots and I give the credit to them.”
Armaan Franklin added 12 points and Reece Beekman had 11 for Virginia (21-4, 13-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), who assured themselves at least a share of first place in the conference pending a game between Virginia Tech and co-leader Pittsburgh later Saturday.
Virginia shot just 36.5% (19-52), but made Notre Dame the 40th consecutive ACC school to fail to score 70 points at John Paul Jones Arena.
Nate Laszewski led Notre Dame (10-17, 2-14) with 18 points and Goodwin had 12, including a pair of 3-pointers. The Fighting Irish are 0-10 away from home this season, 0-7 in league play after going 6-4 last season.
Notre Dame scored the first six points after halftime to take a 31-29 lead. Jayden Gardner later hit a short jumper and Reece Beekman followed with a 3-pointer, sparking a 13-5 run to put the Cavaliers ahead 53-45. The Irish closed to within three twice in the closing minutes.
The Cavaliers used a 10-2 run over a span of 8 1/2 minutes to open a 27-18 lead, but the Irish outscored them 7-2 to finish the half trailing 29-25.
A parting gift
Virginia coach Tony Bennett said he wanted to say something to honor Brey's 23 years at Notre Dame on the PA system, but the coach declined. Instead, the school gave him a bottle of Irish whiskey.
“I'm going to try it tonight, I can tell you that,” Brey said.
Bennett and Brey had a lengthy chat before the game.
“I really appreciate Coach Brey and all he’s done for the game and whatever his future holds, he’s a good man," Bennett said. “And so I want to acknowledge that because it’s hard to last in this game.”
Big picture
Notre Dame: The Irish arrived averaging just 8.8 turnovers but had six by halftime and came precariously close to numerous shot clock violations, which resulted in desperation shots. The Cavaliers did force a shot clock violation after halftime, their 17th at home this season.
Virginia: Clark's third of four assists was his 684th, moving him past Crotty (1988-91), who attended the game. He is the program's career leader in wins, ACC wins, minutes and games — and also now the leader in starts with his 133rd, passing London Perrantes (2014-17).
Up next
Notre Dame: At home against North Carolina on Wednesday night.
Virginia: At Boston College on Wednesday night.
No. 7 VIRGINIA 57, NOTRE DAME 55
NOTRE DAME (55): Laszewski 6-14 4-4 18, Lubin 0-1 0-0 0, Hammond 4-6 2-2 10, Ryan 3-7 0-0 8, Starling 0-2 0-0 0, Goodwin 5-13 0-0 12, Wertz 1-5 2-4 4, Zona 1-3 0-0 3. Totals 20-51 8-10 55.
VIRGINIA (57): Gardner 3-8 2-3 8, Vander Plas 3-8 0-0 8, Beekman 4-12 1-2 11, Clark 4-7 6-8 15, Franklin 4-11 2-2 12, McKneely 1-5 1-1 3, Dunn 0-1 0-0 0, Shedrick 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-52 12-16 57.
Halftime: Virginia 29-25. 3-Point Goal: _Notre Dame 7-26 (Ryan 2-6, Goodwin 2-7, Laszewski 2-7, Zona 1-3, Hammond 0-1, Wertz 0-2), Virginia 7-24 (Beekman 2-5, Vander Plas 2-6, Franklin 2-7, Clark 1-2, Dunn 0-1, McKneely 0-3). Rebounds: Notre Dame 29 (Laszewski 8), Virginia 33 (Gardner 12). Assists: Notre Dame 11 (Wertz 5), Virginia 14 (Beekman 5). Total Fouls: Notre Dame 12, Virginia 14. A: 14,230 (14,593).