|
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- Notre Dame reached the NCAA Tournament's
second round for the second straight year, and ended Charlotte's
run of opening-game successes.
|
 |
|
|
For the Irish, it was too much Matt Carroll and David Graves. They combined to hit 15 of 26 shots, including seven of 11 from three-point range.
It was veteran leadership coming through. Ryan Humphrey posted a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds as Notre Dame pulled away in the second half big-time.
|
|
|
Matt Carroll and Ryan Humphrey scored 20 points each, and David
Graves added 19 as eighth-seeded Notre Dame defeated Charlotte
82-63 in the South Regional on Thursday night.
Charlotte star Jobey Thomas, who averages 19 points, had a
stomach virus and needed intravenous fluids. The senior started but
was not close to himself, finishing 2-of-12 from the floor for only
five points, his lowest output of the season.
Without Thomas, the 49ers couldn't last against the more
physical Irish (22-10).
Charlotte (18-12) had had won four straight first-round
tournament games since 1997.
The game was tied at 35 at halftime, but Notre Dame opened the
second period with a 29-10 run with big contributions from Carroll,
Humphrey and Graves.
Humphrey started things with a putback basket, Graves caught a
floor-length pass from Carroll for an easy jumper and, after
freshman point guard Chris Thomas stole a lazy inbounds pass,
Carroll knocked down a basket.
Graves' 3-pointer with 15:01 left put the Irish up 50-40.
Humphrey and Carroll had consecutive three-point plays as the
lead grew to 12. Graves closed the run with his third 3-pointer,
and Notre Dame led 64-45 with 7½ minutes remaining.
Carroll hit 4-of-5 3-pointers, while Humphrey added 11 rebounds
and went 10-of-10 from the foul line.
Charlotte had only five field goals in the second half and shot
21-of-62 (33.9 percent) overall from the field.
Kevin Johnson's 10 points led the 49ers.
| 
