This is why the early season tournaments exist, and this is why the Maui Invitational is one of the best out there. In a semi-final game, Texas and Notre Dame went down to the very end. Two top-ten teams meeting on a neutral court. A Big East-Big Twelve intersectional game. Notre Dame ultimately prevailed 81-80 in a very entertaining and well-played game.The star players for both teams were the stars. Luke Harangody had 29 points and 11 rebounds while Kyle McAlarney had 19 with five 3-pointers and point guard Tory Jackson added 16 points and 7 assists for Notre Dame. Texas had A.J. Abrams go for 23, Damion James had a double-double and point guard Justin put in 16 points to go with 7 assists and 7 rebounds. In the end, Notre Dame's better offensive efficiency was slightly better than Texas' dominance on the boards and the second-chance point opportunities provided.
Well, somewhat. Notre Dame stumbled in this game in an area that they had excelled: free throw shooting. The Irish had shot 74% in free throw percentage the previous two seasons. In their first three games, they shot a pedestrian 64%. In this game, however, they were Memphis-esque with 10-21 shooting and missing their last four free throws and six of the last eight overall on free throws in the final minute when they could have salted away the game.
Texas chose the final minute to finally find their range from outside as they hit three three-pointers and A.J. Abrams hit the rim on a half-court shot as time expired.
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Abrams was crushed after that shot.