In a thrilling opener to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish edged out the Pittsburgh Panthers with a 55-54 victory, thanks to a clutch free throw by forward Tae Davis with just 0.5 seconds remaining.
The game, held at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, was a tightly contested battle from start to finish. Notre Dame, seeded 12th, showcased resilience and determination against the 13th-seeded Panthers. Davis led the Irish with 11 points, while Markus Burton and Nikita Konstantynovskyi each contributed 10 points.
The final moments of the game were particularly intense. With the score tied and under a second left on the clock, Burton attempted a shot that missed. Davis secured the offensive rebound and, in his effort to score, was fouled by Pittsburgh’s Zack Austin. This foul sent Davis to the free-throw line, where he calmly sank the first shot to give Notre Dame the lead. He intentionally missed the second free throw, allowing the clock to expire and sealing the victory for the Irish.
The win advances Notre Dame to the second round of the ACC tournament, where they are set to face the fifth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels. This upcoming matchup is particularly intriguing, as the Tar Heels narrowly defeated the Irish 74-73 earlier in the season.
Notre Dame’s head coach, Micah Shrewsberry, praised his team’s perseverance, stating, “Our guys showed tremendous heart tonight. They battled every second, and Tae’s composure at the line exemplifies the grit of this team.”
Pittsburgh’s Jaland Lowe led all scorers with 17 points, while Cameron Corhen added 10 points for the Panthers. Despite their efforts, Pittsburgh struggled with shooting efficiency, converting only 36.2% of their field goal attempts.
The victory not only extends Notre Dame’s winning streak to three games but also bolsters their confidence as they progress in the tournament. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching to see if the Fighting Irish can carry this momentum forward against North Carolina.
Notre Dame Advances in ACC Tournament with Last-Second Win Over Pittsburgh
