Notre Dame rallies to survive, advance
NEW YORK — With momentum finally in hand, Bonzie Colson pounded his chest and screamed in triumph.
Matt Farrell looked over at former Notre Dame star Laphonso Ellis, broadcasting courtside for ESPN, and yelled: “I told you Phonso, we ain’t done!”
The biggest comeback in Fighting Irish history came just in time Wednesday — and that was worth hollering about.
Colson banked in a go-ahead, 3-point heave that barely beat the shot clock with two minutes remaining, and Notre Dame rallied from 21 down in the second half to stun Virginia Tech 71-65 at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.
“How about that, huh?”
Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. “I’ve never been prouder of a group, because they were thumping us pretty good.”
Farrell scored 22 points for the 10th-seeded Irish (20-13), who overcame a dreadful start in extending their late push to reach the NCAA Tournament.
Finally healthy after injuries to Colson and Farrell nearly wrecked a promising season, Notre Dame advanced to play Thursday night in the quarterfinals against fifth-ranked and second-seeded Duke, the defending tournament champion.
Do the Irish need to win at least that one, too, in order to make the field of 68?
Hard to say — but they sure woke up the echoes on this snowy night in Brooklyn.
“I’ve never been a big guy to campaign, but I think we really deserve to be in,” Brey said. “When I have my guys back, we’re a top-20 team, and I think people on that committee know that. I feel strongly that we should be part of it. We have another great opportunity to end all the drama of it (Thursday) night, but we need to get some rest.”
With the Irish stars struggling to make shots, seventh-seeded Virginia Tech (21-11) was cruising along with a 47-26 lead with 14 minutes remaining when Farrell drained his second consecutive 3.
That started a ferocious surge that got a feisty Notre Dame squad back into it. The game got a little testy as the Irish picked up the intensity and the Hokies went cold on offense.
“We disintegrated. We didn’t guard. They scored 45 points in the last 15 minutes,” Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams said. “Just completely fell apart the last 15 minutes defensively.”
Colson, a preseason All-american in his fourth game back from a broken foot, finished with 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting.
Top 25 No. 12 North Carolina 78, Syracuse 59
— At New York, Theo Pinson had 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists as No. 12 North Carolina (23-9) beat Syracuse (20-13) to advance to the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. The Orange will head toward NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday firmly on the bubble.
Patriot League Bucknell 83, Colgate 54 —
At Lewisburg, Pa., Stephen Brown scored 22 points and reserve Nate Sestina added 16 as Bucknell (25-9) won its second straight Patriot League Tournament championship by beating Colgate (19-13).