Notre Dame Offense Stalls Out In Loss At Maryland

The #3 Maryland Terrapins beat the Irish 72-51 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Bryan Driskell | Dec 4, 2019

Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports

After a quick start, the Notre Dame offense was not up to the task as the Fighting Irish dropped a 72-51 contest at No. 3 Maryland.

Notre Dame jumped out to a 9-4 lead and took a 13-11 lead into the third media timeout. The Irish defense was stingy early, and big men John Mooney and Juwan Durham paced the offense.

Maryland closed out the opening half on a 21-9 run, and ultimately went on a 29-9 that blew the game open.

Notre Dame's offense never got rolling against Maryland, with the Irish shooting just 8-28 in the first first half, which included just one make in 11 attempts from deep. Notre Dame finished the game just 18-62 (29-percent) and 7-25 (28-percent) from behind the arc.

Mooney paced the Irish offense with 17 points and 12 rebounds, and the veteran knocked down three of his six shots from deep.

The Irish guards struggled all game long. Seniors TJ Gibbs and Rex Pflueger combined to go 0-13 from the field. Pflueger also turned the ball over five times. Sophomore guard Prentiss Hubb scored 13 in the game but went just 5-of-16 from the field.

Maryland sophomore forward Jalen Smith leading the way with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Guard Eric Ayala scored 15 points in the win while adding five rebounds and five assists. Guards Darryl Morsell (10) and Aaron Wiggins (11) also reached double figures and combined for 14 rebounds.

The loss was made worse when sophomore guard Robby Carmody went down with a knee injury in the second half and had to be carted off the court. Carmody had five points in 13 minutes before his injury.

Notre Dame falls to 6-2 on the season. The Irish return home for an ACC matchup against Boston College on Saturday at 2:00 PM (Eastern). Maryland remains unbeaten (9-0) and will kick off its Big Ten schedule on Saturday against Illinois.

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Published Dec 4, 2019

BRYAN DRISKELL

Bryan Driskell is the publisher of Irish Breakdown and has been covering Notre Dame football for over a decade. A former college football player and coach, Bryan and Irish Breakdown bring a level of expertise and analysis that is unmatched. From providing in depth looks at the Fighting Irish, breaking news stories and honest recruiting analysis, Irish Breakdown has everything Notre Dame football fans want and need. Bryan was previous a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated before launching Irish Breakdown. He coached college football at Duquesne University, Muhlenberg College, Christopher Newport University, Wittenberg University and Defiance College. During his coaching career he was a pass game coordinator, recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and wide receivers coach. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Salisbury University, where he played quarterback for the Sea Gulls. You can email Bryan at bryan@irishbreakdown.com. Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more. BECOME A MEMBER Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time! Follow Bryan on Twitter: @CoachD178Like and follow Irish Breakdown on FacebookSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channelSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter