Notre Dame Men’s Basketball Falls to Kansas in Feast Week Opener

A Competitive Clash in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – The much-anticipated Players Era and Feast Week kicked off in the Entertainment Capital of the World as the Notre Dame men’s basketball team faced off against the Kansas Jayhawks at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Monday.

The Fighting Irish (4-2) started strong, taking an early lead against the Jayhawks (4-2). However, a challenging shooting stretch of 1-12 saw them fall behind, ending the first half with a seven-point deficit. Despite opportunities to narrow the gap, missed chances proved costly, culminating in a 61-71 defeat.

Key Performers Shine

Markus Burton led the charge for Notre Dame, scoring a game-high 24 points on 9-18 shooting, complemented by a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line. Jalen Haralson contributed 13 points and five rebounds, while Braeden Shrewsberry added nine points to the scoreboard.

Carson Towt stood out on the boards, leading all players with 10 rebounds. Remarkably, he has recorded double-digit rebounds in every game this season, now averaging 12.2 boards per game. However, a glaring statistic that hindered the Irish was their dismal 4-24 shooting from three-point range.

Game Breakdown: How It Unfolded

From the opening tip, the game was fiercely contested, with Notre Dame initially taking the lead at 9-5. The momentum shifted when the Jayhawks launched a 9-0 run, propelled by an upgraded flagrant foul, pushing their lead to 22-15 in just over a minute and a half.

Despite a valiant effort from Burton, who scored six consecutive points, Kansas extended their lead to 13 points at 39-26. The Irish managed to close the gap before halftime, trailing 32-39, thanks to back-to-back three-pointers from Shrewsberry and Certa.

In the first half, Notre Dame shot 9-28 (.321), while Kansas capitalized with a 15-31 (.484) shooting performance, including 22 points in the paint from Flory Bidunga.

The second half saw Notre Dame’s defense tighten, allowing them to cut the deficit to five points at 40-45. However, Kansas responded with back-to-back three-pointers from Melvin Council Jr., extending their lead once more.

As the game progressed, the Irish fought hard, with a Sir Mohammed jumper bringing them within four points. Yet, missed opportunities from beyond the arc prevented them from closing the gap further. Kansas maintained their composure, ultimately sealing the game with a final score of 71-61.

Looking Ahead

The Fighting Irish will look to bounce back as they kick off Tuesday’s Players Era play against Rutgers at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT, a match that will be broadcast on TNT.

– ND –

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In summary, Notre Dame’s performance against Kansas showcased both their potential and areas needing improvement, particularly in shooting accuracy. As they prepare for their next game, the Irish will need to harness their early-game energy and convert opportunities into points to secure a victory.