Diakite Paces Virginia in 50-49 Overtime Win Over Notre Dame
Postgame Notes – Notre Dame | Postgame Quotes – Notre Dame | Boxscore
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia (16-7, 8-5 ACC) hit three free throws in overtime to take the 50-49 win over Notre Dame (15-9, 6-7 ACC) on Tuesday night at John Paul Jones Arena.
Mamadi Diakite (Conakry, Guinea, Africa), who finished with a game-high 20 points, hit two of the free throws to give UVA the early lead in overtime. Braxton Key (Charlotte, N.C.) had the go-ahead free throw in overtime and led the Cavaliers with 13 rebounds.
Virginia shot 37.3 percent for the game, while Notre Dame shot 33.3 percent. The Cavaliers had a 24-22 edge in points in the paint.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a close game throughout, with neither team leading by more than five points. Notre Dame had the advantage in the first half, hitting a three-pointer just before halftime to lead 26-22 at the break.
Clark hit a three to begin the second half. Notre Dame took its largest lead of the game, 34-29 with 13:26 to go. Casey Morsell (Fort Washington, Md.) hit a three to keep UVA close. Virginia had a 10-0 run that included two three-pointers by Jay Huff (Durham, N.C.) to swing the lead in its favor, 43-38, with 8:02 to play. The Irish scored seven-straight to lead with 2:41 to play. UVA tied the game with 25 seconds remaining and kept Notre Dame scoreless to go to overtime.
Diakite’s free throws were the first points of overtime. Notre Dame had one basket to tie the game. Key hit one of two free throws that gave UVA the win.
THE GAME BALL GOES TO
Diakite scored 20 points, going 7-for-15 from the field and 6-of-8 from the free throw line. He added five rebounds, one block and one steal.
NOTES
• UVA is 11-0 when limiting opponents to fewer than 50 points
• UVA (11-3) has won 11 or more home games for 11 straight seasons
• UVA is 2-1 in overtime
• Braxton Key had a career-high 13 rebounds
• Diakite (5 rebounds) joined the 500 rebound club at UVA (504 career rebounds)
UP NEXT
Virginia is on the road at North Carolina on Saturday, Feb. 15. The game is set to tip at 8 p.m. on ESPN.