Burns scores the game-winning goal as NC State overcomes Notre Dame 54–52.
(AP) – SOUTH BEND, IN With 13 points from DJ Burns Jr., including the game-winning basket, NC State defeated Notre Dame 54–52 on Wednesday night
Burns’ game-winning goal in the last two minutes completed an 8-0 run that had NC State trailing by just one point after 39 minutes and 59 seconds.
Midway through the second half, Notre Dame had an 11-point lead, but North Carolina State fought back, closing the gap three times to four points. With 2:10 left, the Fighting Irish had taken a 52-46 lead after answering with two buckets. With 1:26 left in the game, Markus Burton’s turnover put NC State behind by four points after the Wolfpack closed the gap to four once more.
Jayden Following a foul call and two successful free throws by Taylor to pull the Wolfpack within two, Tae Davis missed the first end of a one-and-one opportunity for Notre Dame. After Taylor failed to make a layup that would have tied the game, J.R. Konieczny of Notre Dame was called for traveling.
With 26 seconds remaining and trailing by two, NC State turned to Burns, whose layup with 13 seconds remaining tied the score. In the closing minute, Julian Roper II of Notre Dame drew a foul call from Taylor, and the Irish team missed the front end of the one-and-one for the second time.
Burns’ left-handed mini-hook shot beat the buzzer with three seconds remaining, giving the Wolfpack their lone lead of the game.
With 18 points and four assists, Burton led Notre Dame (6-8, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), but he also committed six turnovers—two more than the whole NC State squad.
In total, NC State shot 28.8%, going 3 for 17 from beyond the arc. They had 17 offensive rebounds, outscored Notre Dame by six points at the foul line, and forced 13 turnovers to just four of their own.
Taylor led NC State (10-3, 2-0) with 12 points.
With 6 1/2 minutes remaining in the first half, Burton’s 3-pointer gave the Irish a 26-14 lead after Notre Dame had taken an early 14-4 lead. With roughly three minutes left, Taylor got the Wolfpack within four points with a layup at the start and a jumper at the end of an 8-0 run. At the half, Notre Dame had a 34-26 advantage.
On Saturday, both teams play at home: N.C. State against Virginia and Notre Dame against No. 14 Duke.
