Brooks’ 52 Not Enough To Take Down Irish
Thursday, February 24, 2011
An historic night at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center for PC’s Marshon Brooks was spoiled by Notre Dame. Despite a Big East record 52 points by Brooks, the Friars (14-14 overall, 3-12 Big East) lost to the 9th-ranked Fighting Irish (22-5 overall, 11-4 Big East) 94-93.
Brooks was sensational hitting 20 of his 28 field goal attempts. He also drained 6 of 10 from beyond the 3-point arc. About the only area he didn’t excel in was from the free throw line where he also went 6-10.
Brooks performance was spoiled by a career-high 32 points from fellow Big East Player of the Year candidate Ben Hansbrough of Notre Dame. Hansbrough was also spectacular hitting on 10-13 from the field, 3-5 from three and 9-11 from the free throw line.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHansbrough’s teammate Tim Abromaitis was also impressive scoring a season-high 28 points. Abromaitis score 15 of Notre Dame’s first 18 points putting the Irish up early 18-10.
Notre Dame held PC at arm’s length for most of the night leading by as many as 16 (55-39) until the Friars made a game of it in the final four minutes. Unfortunately, it was too big of a hole for Providence to climb out of.
In fact, it was pretty much the same story, different day for PC in many different respects. First the obvious: defense was clearly an issue again. So, too, was free throw shooting (8-14) which has been a major problem as of late.
It also marked the third straight game at home which essentially came down to the final possession in regulation, none of which the Friars won.
“I’m thrilled that we escaped with a win,” said Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey of Brooks’ performance. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a performance like that by a young man. That was outstanding!”
The 52 points were the most ever scored by an opposing player against Notre Dame. It is also the highest point total scored in a single game this season throughout college basketball and the most ever by a Big East player.
With three games left in the regular season and at least one at the Big East Tournament in New York, Providence still has a chance to play postseason basketball somewhere. However, the road to the postseason will be a difficult one.
PC now faces two tough road tests at Marquette Sunday (4pm) and at #16 Louisville next Wednesday. The Friars wrap up the regular season portion of their schedule at the Dunk against Rutgers on March 5th.
