Irish Top Purple Aces In Season Opener

Led by Jack Cooley‘s 14th career double-double (19 points, 11 rebounds), Notre Dame opened its season with a 58-49 victory over Evansville at Purcell Pavilion on Saturday afternoon.

Cooley scored the Irish’s first nine points of the game, including a three-pointer from the top of the key. The Purple Aces gave the senior from Glenview, Ill. all day, and he knocked down the shot for the first trey of his college career.

Cameron Biedscheid scored seven points in his Notre Dame debut, none bigger than three he made midway through the second half, with the shot clock expiring, to push Notre Dame’s lead back to double digits.

Jerian Grant added 11 points, and Scott Martin, though he struggled offensively, pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds.

In the midst of the home stretch of the college football season, fans have a tendency to write off these early season basketball games. And to the outside viewer, it might not have been the prettiest victory.

The Irish shot only 40% from the field, 60% from the charity stripe, and turned the ball over 13 times.

But any opening day victory is a quality one, and these are the type of wins that help teams improve over the long grind of the college basketball season.

It’s a quick turnaround for the Irish, as they will host Monmouth on Monday, Nov. 12 at 7 pm on ESPN3.