Atkins’ buzzer-beating 3 lifts Irish in OT
SOUTH BEND — Eric Atkins made up for missing the potential game-winning free throw in regulation for Notre Dame by hitting a game-winning 3-pointer in overtime.
Atkins drove into the Boston College defenders, then stepped back and hit the 3-pointer over the outstretched arm of Olivier Hanlan with a second left to give the Irish a 76-73 victory on Saturday, ending a threegame losing streak.
“I just rocked him a little bit, went between my legs, and when he went for the crossover, I really had a clean look at it. As soon as I shot it, I knew it was going in,” Atkins said.
Atkins said he wanted to take the shot with only a few seconds left to make sure the Eagles wouldn’t Have one last chance.
Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said he didn’t talk strategy with Atkins, who has had to contribute more offensively since the Irish lost Jerian Grant because of an academic violation.
“It was, ‘Do it. Go ahead and make a play.’ He said to me when we were doing the alma mater after the game, ‘Man, I owed you guys that one after missing the free throw,’” Brey said. “But happy for him because he’s really had to lead under a tough situation. His style of play has changed a lot since losing his backcourt mate. I was happy he could deliver for us, and he certainly did.”
Ryan Anderson, who led the Eagles with 21 points, said that’s how the season has gone for Boston College (6-15, 2-6 Atlantic Coast Conference), which fell to 1-7 on the road.
“Today was just another ride on the roller coaster,” he said. “There were a lot of ups and downs going on in the game.”
The win came as a big relief for the Irish (12-10, 3-6), who won for just the second time in their last eight games.
“Finally, we’re getting out of here with a win,” Atkins said.
Both teams squandered chances to win in regulation. The Eagles had a chance to open a three-point lead with 7 seconds left, but Hanlan, who failed to score in double figures for just the second time this season, missed the front end of a one-and-one, ending a streak of 13 straight made free throws by the Eagles. Atkins then drove the length of the court and appeared to lose control of the ball, but Hanlan was called for the foul with 0.7 seconds left. Atkins tied the game with his first free, throw, but missed the second.