In a game filled with drama and intensity, Notre Dame (11-13, 5-8 ACC) edged Boston College 97-94 in double overtime at Conte Forum on Wednesday night. The Irish, fueled by Markus Burton’s career-high 32 points, overcame a slow start, multiple momentum swings, and a late Boston College rally to secure a gritty road victory. The win snapped a 3-game losing streak.
Markus Burton Shines
Burton led the Irish with a stellar performance, shooting 12-of-29 from the field and overcoming struggles from beyond the arc (1-of-8 from three). He also converted 7-of-9 free throws, including the decisive pair that sealed the win. Tae Davis contributed 20 points and six rebounds, while Braeden Shrewsberry added 16 points, hitting two clutch three-pointers. Kebba Njie emerged as an unsung hero with 12 rebounds and seven points, including the go-ahead layup with 16 seconds left in double overtime.
A Game of Runs and Clutch Plays
Boston College (10-14, 2-11 ACC) started strong, building a 14-point lead early in the second half (57-43). Notre Dame responded with an 8-0 run led by Burton’s drives and Shrewsberry’s shooting. The game featured 13 ties and eight lead changes as both teams traded blows in regulation and overtime. Boston College’s Chad Venning (21 points) and Donald Hand Jr. (17 points) made key plays late, but Notre Dame’s defensive resilience and critical free throws proved decisive. With 1:20 left in double overtime, BC’s Devin Brown scored a layup to give the Eagles a 94-93 lead. However, Njie’s putback layup on the next possession shifted the momentum back to Notre Dame. Boston College had one last chance, but Hand Jr.’s three-point attempt at the buzzer missed.
Key Stats
- Rebounding Edge: Notre Dame dominated the boards with a 40-34 advantage, including 16 offensive rebounds that led to 20 second-chance points.
- Shooting Struggles: The Irish shot just 30.4% from three (7-of-23) but made up for it with aggressive drives and free throws (20-of-29).
- Boston College Efficiency: The Eagles shot an impressive 53.7% overall and 47.6% from three but committed 13 turnovers and struggled to secure offensive rebounds.
Looking Ahead
The victory provides a confidence boost for the Irish as they prepare for a rare three-game ACC homestand, featuring matchups against Louisville, SMU, and Pitt. First up, Notre Dame hosts the Louisville Cardinals with tipoff set for 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 16, inside Purcell Pavilion.
Check out analyst Len Clark's full stats breakdown of this game at the Len Zone!