Turnovers sink Notre Dame in 81-69 loss to Miami

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame could not finish the job at home Wednesday night, falling 81-69 to Miami at Purcell Pavilion. It was the Irish’s third straight loss, while the Hurricanes won their tenth game in a row.

Notre Dame opened with energy, jumping out to a 6-0 lead. Miami did not score for the first four minutes, but the Hurricanes settled in and took control as the game went on.

Turnovers were a major factor. Notre Dame committed a season-high 18 turnovers, and Miami turned those mistakes into 19 points. Meanwhile, the Irish only scored six points off Miami turnovers.

Miami also won the battle in the paint, outscoring Notre Dame 40-28 inside. The Hurricanes repeatedly got to the rim and used that edge to keep the Irish chasing. The game was tied 39-39 at halftime.

Sir Mohammed provided a spark off the bench, scoring 11 of his 15 points before the break on 6-of-8 shooting. Jalen Haralson led Notre Dame with 18 points and extended his double-digit scoring streak to 15 straight games.

Notre Dame’s offense went quiet early in the second half. Miami held the Irish to three points over the first 5:48 after halftime, using that stretch to build a double-digit lead it did not give back.

“We got to the spots, we just didn’t do the thing at the end of the drives and that’s what we have to keep cleaning up,” Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry said. “We have 14 left so let’s keep seeing improvements from our group in what we do and how we do it.”

Notre Dame will try to reset on the road with a trip to a 13-4 Virginia Tech on Saturday.