Notre Dame shot its way to a win Tuesday that left Duke with its first losing record in February in 26 years.
Behind Cormac Ryan’s 28 points, the Irish hit 55.2% of their shots with 11 3-pointers to beat the Blue Devils, 93-89, in ACC basketball at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Duke (7-8, 5-6 ACC) lost its third game in a row to fall below .500 in February for the first time since the 1994-95 season. It’s also the first time this century the Blue Devils have had a losing record at any time. The last time was when the Blue Devils started the 1999-2000 season with two losses before winning their next 18 games in a row.
“There are times in our program where you learn to appreciate the winning that has come at such a high level,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “And how tough losing is. We as a program need to keep learning that and keep appreciating what it takes to win.”
The Blue Devils led by as many as 15 points in the first half and held a 60-51 lead with 17:59 to play but could not hold off the hot-shooting Irish.
Notre Dame (8-10, 5-7 ACC) led 87-85 after Wendell Moore, who led Duke with 24 points, scored with 1:43 to play. Duke regained possession with 1:12 to play when Irish guard Prentiss Hubb missed a shot. But Duke freshman guard Jeremy Roach was called for an offensive foul with 1:06 left.
With the shot clock running down, Hubb nailed a 30-foot 3-pointer with 37 seconds to play that gave the Irish a 90-85 lead. Hubb scored 15 points for Notre Dame.
Roach finished with 16 points for the Blue Devils, who shot 52.2% and finished with 12 turnovers.
“In these losses, there are one or two possessions,” Krzyzewski said. “We haven’t won those possessions.
