Wake Forest University
Notre Dame
Deacs Fall Short at Notre Dame, 88-81
2/7/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@TieDyeNation)
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Despite another double-double from John Collins, Wake Forest was defeated by Notre Dame 88-81 Tuesday night in Purcell Pavilion.
John Collins finished with 24 points, his seventh consecutive 20-point game. The seven-game streak is the longest in the ACC this season and the longest by a Demon Deacon in ACC play since Skip Brown had a 10-game streak in 1974-75.
Collins also finished with 14 rebounds for his third-straight and 11th total double-double of the season.
Bryant Crawford recorded his 16th consecutive double figure game with 19 points while Keyshawn Woods and Austin Arians added 16 and 10 points, respectively.
The Fighting Irish (18-7, 7-5 ACC ACC) jumped out to an early lead that they managed to hold on to until a 6-0 run, capped with a layup from Collins, gave the Deacs (14-10, 5-7 ACC) their first lead of the night, 15-14. Crawford added a triple to extend the lead to 18-14, forcing Notre Dame to take a timeout with 9:55 remaining in the half. The Deacs extended their run to gain a five-point advantage but a subsequent scoring drought allowed the Irish to take the lead again with just over six minutes left in the half. The teams traded baskets until a 10-0 run gave the Deacs their largest lead of the half, 33-27, with 3:09 remaining. From there, the teams went back-and-forth but it was the Deacs that carried a 41-36 lead into the locker rooms.
Both squads got off to a slow second half. Collins opened the scoring for both teams with a pair of free throws at the 17:47 mark and it would take until 16:36 left on the clock for Notre Dame to make its first basket. However, the Irish used that basket to begin a 6-0 run to cut Wake Forest's lead to three and force a timeout. The Irish fought their way back and took a 56-54 lead with 12:03 remaining in the contest. Crawford tied the game back up at 60-all on a triple with 9:11 to go. However, a three-pointer from Notre Dame's V.J. Beachem gave the Irish the lead for the final time as they took the 88-81 victory.
The Demon Deacons return to the LJVM Coliseum to host NC State on Saturday, Feb. 11. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m.
