SOUTH BEND, Ind. _ V.J. Beachem faked a shot and then drove to the lane against Syracuse on Saturday.
The Notre Dame forward drew contact, but was able to finish the play with a layup.
The basket, with 12 minutes remaining in the game, established a career-high for points for the senior. Beachem finished with 30 points, leading No. 15 Notre Dame to an 84-66 victory against the Orange at Purcell Pavilion.
Beachem has had some ups and downs during the ACC season. It all came together Saturday.
"It's a good feeling," Beachem said. "I can't thank my teammates enough for sticking with me and the coaches, too."
Beachem matched his career-high with six 3-pointers.
"We were really anxious to play against (Syracuse's 2-3 zone)," Beachem said. "It was a great day for us shooting the ball and driving the ball."
He was one of four Notre Dame players to reach double figures in scoring. He also had seven rebounds as the Irish (17-3, 6-1 ACC) won for the eighth time in nine games.
"When V.J. is in attack mode, we can be really special," teammate Matt Farrell said. "When he's doing what he did (Saturday), playing fearless like that, we can be really good."
Beachem entered Saturday averaging 10.2 points in conference games. He followed a two-point performance against Louisville on Jan. 2 with 22 points against Clemson three days later. He had 13 points against Miami on Jan. 12, but just four at Virginia Tech on Jan. 14.
Beachem had 14 points against Florida State on Wednesday and took his game to another level on Saturday.
His previous career high was 22 points. He scored all 10 points during a 10-2 run to help the Irish build a double-digit lead in the first half.
"V.J. was fabulous," Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. "That one had been brewing. When we can get him flowing like that, it's a confidence-giver to his teammates."
Farrell added 15 points and nine assists as the Irish bounced back from the loss to the Seminoles.
Bonzie Colson had 14 points and 14 rebounds while Steve Vasturia scored 11 points.
Tyler Lydon had 24 points and 10 rebounds for Syracuse (11-9, 3-4). The Irish beat the Orange for the first time since Jan. 21, 2012. Syracuse had won the last four meetings.
"They have so many guys who can shoot," Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said. "They can overcome a lot of things the way they shoot the basketball."
