Dec. 12, 2009

Box Score | Through A Different Lens - Men's Basketball - Dec. 12 | Photo Gallery

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Sophomore Jarred DuBois took a perfect pass from junior Larry Davis with eight seconds remaining to lift LMU (4-7) to an 87-85 win over Notre Dame (9-2) at Purcell Pavilion Saturday night in Notre Dame, Ind. The Lions have now picked up road wins in both the Pacific-10 (USC on Nov. 21) and the Big East, and earn their first win over a current member from the Big East since 1988.

Down by one, 85-84, the Lions' defense forced a five-second call with 19 seconds remaining. After a timeout, the Lions rotated the ball and Davis drove the lane, dishing off to DuBois on the left wing. With a defender charging, DuBois buried his fourth three-pointer of the game for the win.

"This is the biggest win of our careers at LMU," said DuBois, who finished with 12 points. "We feel we can win every game and we have been close so many times so far this season. We knew if we could just keep working, we would start getting these close games. This was a big one tonight. My biggest here and we are wanting to add more."

Leading the way for the Lions was junior Vernon Teel, who had his second double-double in his LMU career with 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and LMU's lone steal. Five players total were in double figures. Joining Teel and DuBois were Drew Viney with 18 points and nine rebounds, Kevin Young with 12 points and Ashley Hamilton with 10, all in the first half.

"Vernon just played all out the entire game tonight," said Head Coach Max Good. "He really kept us on the attack and at the end he really helped force the five second call. Then on the final play, it wasn't designed to go to Jarred. We wanted Larry to drive and kick it out to Drew at the top of the key. Notre Dame didn't bite and he did a great job of dishing out to Jarred."

The Lions erased an early 10-point deficit in the first half and cut the lead to just one, 45-44, with Teel's leaning jumper at the buzzer.

It was a tight contest the rest of the way, featuring seven ties and 11 lead changes. The Lions once again did blue-collar work on the boards, out-rebounding Notre Dame 40-33, outscoring them 42-30 in the paint and 17-14 on second chance points.

It was just the second time all year Notre Dame, who was led by All-American forward Luke Harangody with 24 points and 11 rebounds, were out-rebounded. Tim Abromaitis added 23 points for Notre Dame, hitting 4-for-8 from the three point line. The Fighting Irish hit 10-of-22 from long range. LMU went 6-for-16.

Notre Dame came out of the gates in the second half, rebuilding the lead back to seven, 65-58. However, the Lions scored five straight to cut it to just a pair and then took the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the half, 68-67, on Viney's three-pointer with 9:53 to play.

However, Abromaitis had an answer with a three of his own on the next possession and LMU would not lead again until DuBois' game winner.

Viney managed to tie the game at 82-82 with 1:51 to play only to see Notre Dame hit another three, this time by Ben Hansbrough, who finished 14 points, hitting 4-for-6 from three. That long ball made it 85-82.

Then on Notre Dame's next possession, Teel earned the Lions' only steal of the game and drove the length of the court to cut the lead to 85-84 with 55 to play, setting up the final exchange.

LMU finished the game shooting 51.6 percent (33-for-64) while Notre Dame hit 45.3 percent (29-for-64). In addition, the Lions added a 75 percent clip from the free throw line, hitting 15-for-20. Notre Dame was 17-for-24.

The Lions return home for finals week and will not play again until hosting Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Gersten Pavilion. The game is part of Holiday Doubleheader with the women's team. The women play against Cal Poly at 1 and the men follow at 3:30 p.m. Holiday ticket prices of $15 for lower level chairback, upper level seating will be $10 for adults/$5 for children and seniors. Tickets are good for both games. To purchase, go online at LMULions.com today.