Nov. 19, 2009

Box Score

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Notre Dame used a 13-2 run to start the second half and then a 9-2 run late in the half to pull away from Long Beach State winning 82-62 at the Purcell Pavilion Thursday night.

The Beach (2-1) couldn't control All-American Luke Harangody who finished with a double-double scoring 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Ben Hansbrough scored nine points early in the second half en route to 11 points and seven assists to help the Irish (3-0) break it open.

Larry Anderson led The Beach with 20 points, but scored just four in the second half. T.J. Robinson added 16 points and Greg Plater chipped in 11. Eugene Phelps had 18 rebounds, the 10th most in school history, and nine points. Ten of his rebounds came on the offensive end as The Beach out-rebounded Notre Dame 33-32.

"We had opportunities to take control in the first half," head coach Dan Monson said. "I thought we played hard the whole game. It wasn't an effort thing. "

Long Beach State made 44.1 percent (26-of-63) of its shots in the game, but connected on just 4-of-15 from three including 1-of-8 in the second half. The Beach also turned the ball over 10 times after the break to help ND take control.

Notre Dame finished making 57.9 percent (33-of-57) from the floor with Harangody going 13-of-23 from the field.

The Beach and the Irish went toe-to-toe in the first half with ND taking a 37-35 lead into the locker room. After falling behind by eight, 18-12, after seven minutes the 49ers battled back behind the scoring of Anderson, Robinson and Plater and the rebounding of Phelps.

Anderson led the 49ers with 16 first half points, making 7-of-10 shots and his only 3-pointer and free throw. Plater added eight points on 2-of-5 shooting from three, and Robinson scored seven points on 3-of-6 shooting. Phelps dominated the boards with 11 first-half rebounds, including five offensive boards.

LBSU finished the half making 15-of-34 shots (44.1 percent) and outrebounded the Irish 19-17. Notre Dame finished the half 15-of-29 (51.7 percent), but committed seven turnovers the led to an 11-3 LBSU point advantage off turnovers.