Notre Dame is moving on to the Sweet 16. The sixth-seeded Irish were down one to No. 14 Stephen F. Austin with 20 seconds left, but a missed shot by Lumberjacks star Thomas Walkup gave Notre Dame one last chance. Star point guard Demetrius Jackson missed at the rim, but a tip-in by freshman Rex Pflueger with one second left gave Notre Dame the 76-75 win.
Notre Dame crushes Cinderella hopes of Stephen F. Austin with game-winning tip-in
The NCAA Tournament’s favorite Cinderella story came to an end in the final seconds against Notre Dame.
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Notre Dame now plays the winner of Xavier and Wisconsin.
It’s a heartbreaking ending for Stephen F. Austin after a phenomenal performance. Walkup was incredible in the defeat, finishing with 21 points, five rebounds and seven assists. The Lumberjacks’ signature press defense forced the Irish into 12 turnovers, but Notre Dame made enough shots down the stretch to advance.
Stephen F. Austin did not score in the final two minutes.
Jackson led the Irish with 18 points, while Zach Auguste (16 points and 15 rebounds) and V.J. Beachem (15 points) also helped carry Notre Dame in the win.
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