Kansas State University Athletics
Kansas State University
5-3
Notre Dame
6-2
Fighting Irish Top Wildcats in 68-59 Battle
Dec 04, 2007 | Men's Basketball
NEW YORK (AP) - Luke Harangody had 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds to lead Notre Dame to its fourth straight win, 68-59 over Kansas State on Tuesday night in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden.
Kyle McAlarney had 18 points, including the final nine for the Fighting Irish (6-2) over the last 6 1/2 minutes. The Wildcats (5-3) closed an 11-point deficit to 61-59 on two free throws by Michael Beasley with 1:47 left.
McAlarney, who had scored at least 20 in points in his last three games, hit his second 3-pointer of the game from straightaway with 1:32 to play for a 64-59 lead. He went 4-for-4 from the free throw line over the final 55 seconds to cap the scoring.
Beasley, the freshman forward who leads the country in scoring (26.7) and rebounding (15.0) had 19 points and 13 rebounds for his eighth double-double in as many college games. He had just two points in the second half when Notre Dame's big men had plenty of help defending him. Whenever the ball went inside to Beasley it seemed there were at least three Irish defenders around him.
When he did kick the ball outside the Wildcats couldn't take advantage, finishing 3-for-20 from 3-point range.
Harangody, the 6-foot-8, 251-pound sophomore forward who has the build of a football player, was dominant inside early. He scored 11 of Notre Dame's first 13 points, scoring on a mix of moves and by relentlessly rebounding on the offensive end. He had seven offensive rebounds, two on one possession in the second half that finally resulted in his third personal foul.
Notre Dame started the game 1-for-12 from 3-point range, but the Irish finished 5-for-19 from behind the arc with McAlarney going 2-for-5.
Tory Jackson added 12 points for the Irish, who haven't lost since dropping consecutive games to Baylor and Georgia Tech in the Paradise Jam.
Bill Walker had 14 points for the Wildcats, who lost 80-77 to No. 19 Oregon last week.
Harangody had 13 rebounds twice last season.
