After Notre Dame tied the game nearly midway through the second half, Indiana's late surge propelled the Hoosiers to a 64-56 victory in the Crossroads Classic. IU previously blew a 22-point lead at No. 22 Wisconsin but prevented Notre Dame from completing a comeback.
"I think it just shows that we're growing as a team," forward Trayce Jackson-Davis said during the postgame press conference.
IU forward Race Thompson was the primary player to spark the rally, scoring a jump shot and coming up with a steal that resulted in point-guard Rob Phinisee draining a 3-pointer.
The quick five points grew into a nine-point lead, which held until the buzzer sounded.
Thompson shot a perfect four-of-four from the field and made three free throws, scoring 11 total points. The redshirt senior has scored 10 or more points in five consecutive games.
Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis also contributed down the stretch, scoring four points in the last two and a half minutes. He had a team-high 17 points and 12 rebounds, earning him his fourth double-double of the season.
Notre Dame's Cormac Ryan held Jackson-Davis' arm when he was going up for a layup with around 10 minutes left in the second half and was charged with a Flagrant 1. However, Jackson-Davis knew Ryan didn't have hostile intent when fouling.
"I know he didn't mean anything malicious by it," Jackson-Davis said. "When I fell, he was still holding me to make sure I didn't fall very hard."
IU guard Parker Stewart was called for a technical fall presumingly when defending Jackson-Davis. The foul resulted in a negative momentum shift, and quickly, Notre Dame tied the game 46-46.
Notre Dame's 11-1 scoring run during that span was reminiscent of Indiana's 15-3 scoring run to take the lead at the end of the first half.
Coming into the game, IU had a 37% 3-point percentage and that season-long success presented itself in the game. The Hoosiers shot 8-20 (40%) from behind the arc.
The 3-point threat on the perimeter allowed Thompson and Jackson-Davis to be more comfortable in the paint, leading to more success.
"It's hard for the other teams to dig on me and Trayce," Thompson said. "If they do, me and Trayce are completely comfortable and unselfish enough to throw the ball out and have confidence in our teammates to shoot the ball."
Stewart was the leading threat from deep, making three-of-four attempts. He finished with 12 points total. On the other hand, Xavier Johnson struggled from 3-point range, making two of nine attempts.
Still, Thompson showed confidence in the point-guard.
"Sure, he shot two for nine from 3-point ... but I would tell him to shoot the 10th one," Thompson said. "He can make that shot."
Johnson totaled for 11 points with two 3-pointers, one jumper and three free throws.
Both teams struggled with handling the ball, each having 14 turnovers. IU has struggled this season with turnovers, and it continued on Saturday.
IU scored 16 points off opponent turnovers while Notre Dame scored 14. Offensively, it didn't look good. However, it showed how effective the defense was.
"Our defense is really what kept us in the game," Jackson-Davis said. "We made plays down the stretch, we made stops down the stretch, and we pulled this one out.”
Head coach Mike Woodson specifically praised Phinisee for his defensive efforts and also stated what he'd like to see more from the veteran player during the postgame press conference.
"I mean, he is a hell of a defender, and he can make shots," Woodson said. "He can make plays for other people. That's what point guards do. I just got to get him more comfortable and get him more love and confidence that he can do those things."
Phinisee has history with the Crossroads Classic, scoring a game-winning buzzer-beater in 2018. His defense and two 3-pointers against Notre Dame helped lead to another win in Indianapolis.
With the win, IU improves to 8-3 all-time in the event and 9-2 overall. Due to scheduling, it's the last time IU, Butler, Purdue and Notre Dame will play in the classic. IU has the best record out of the four teams.
It's also the first time the Hoosiers have won away from their home court in Assembly Hall this season. IU's next game is against Northern Kentucky on Wednesday, Dec. 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
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