NOTRE DAME OUTLASTS CAL IN 4OT THRILLER, 112-110, ON SENIOR DAY
South Bend, Ind. – In a game that will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in Notre Dame basketball history, the Fighting Irish (14-17, 8-12 ACC) battled through four exhausting overtimes to claim a 112-110 victory over California (13-18, 6-14 Pac-12) on Senior Day at Purcell Pavilion on Saturday.
The Irish were led by their star sophomore Markus Burton, who erupted for a career-high 43 points, the most by a Notre Dame player in an ACC game and the highest by any ACC player this season. Burton delivered 21 points in the four overtime periods alone, knocking down 6-of-9 from the field, 4-of-4 from three, and 5-of-6 from the line in the extra frames.
The clutch performances didn’t stop there—graduate guard Matt Allocco battled through a right-wrist injury to pour in 24 points, including 10 in the fourth overtime after Burton fouled out. With 15 seconds left, Allocco drilled a go-ahead three to send the Irish crowd into a frenzy.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Notre Dame took a 37-33 halftime lead, powered by Burton’s 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. The Irish extended the advantage early in the second half, with Tae Davis scoring six quick points, but foul trouble forced him to the bench.
A three-minute scoring drought allowed Cal to trim the deficit to a single point before Burton found Allocco for a crucial three-pointer. J.R. Konieczny, playing in his final home game, followed with a driving floater to push the Irish ahead 53-47 with 8:55 to play.
Cal refused to go away. The Golden Bears made six of their next eight shots, tying the game at 63-63 with 3:27 remaining. In the closing moments, Burton converted a free throw for a 67-65 lead, but Cal’s Jeremiah Wilkinson answered with a free throw of his own. After another trip to the line, Burton split a pair, and two free throws from Cal knotted the score at 68-68, sending the game to overtime.
THE OVERTIME MARATHON
Burton, Konieczny, and Allocco carried Notre Dame through overtime number one, combining for all 11 Irish points. Burton hit a deep three with 36 seconds left to force a second overtime at 79-79.
In the second OT, it appeared the Irish had seized control after Burton buried a three to give Notre Dame an 88-82 lead with 1:38 to play. But Cal stormed back again, tying the game with 29 seconds left. The Irish had a chance to win it, but Cole Certa’s corner three rattled out.
In overtime three, Burton once again delivered, hitting three-pointers at 3:48 and 2:06. Allocco added a layup to make it 97-95 with 11 seconds remaining, but Wilkinson countered with a driving layup to tie it once again. Allocco had a chance to win it at the buzzer with a pull-up jumper, but it fell short, forcing a fourth OT.
Finally, in overtime four, Allocco took over, scoring 10 points, including clutch threes at 1:57 and again with 15 seconds remaining to put Notre Dame ahead 109-108. Down the stretch, Certa and Garrett Sundra iced the game at the free-throw line, securing the 112-110 victory.
KEY PERFORMANCES
Markus Burton (ND) – 43 points, 5 assists, 13-17 FT (Most by an ND player in an ACC game, most by any ACC player this season)
Matt Allocco (ND) – 24 points, 4-9 3FG, 10 points in 4OT after Burton fouled out
J.R. Konieczny (ND) – 13 points, 8 rebounds (Season-high)
Nikita Konstantynovskyi (ND) – 6 points, 17 rebounds (Most by an Irish player since 2022)
Julian Roper II (ND) – 7 points, 8 rebounds
Tae Davis (ND) – 12 points before fouling out in regulation
Jalen Wilkinson (Cal) – 36 points, 5-8 3FG
Andrej Stojakovic (Cal) – 21 points
Mady Sissoko (Cal) – 14 points, 13 rebounds
UP NEXT
With the gritty win, Notre Dame secures the No. 12 seed in the ACC Tournament and will face No. 13 Pitt on Tuesday, March 11, at 2 p.m. ET in Charlotte. Cal’s season concludes with a hard-fought loss, though their resilience throughout the game could serve as a steppingstone for next year.
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ND Men’s BB 4 OT Win
