Notre Dame upsets Alabama, becomes second 11-seed to advance in NCAA Tournament

Cormac Ryan notched a new career-high in Notre Dame‘s 78-64 upset victory over six-seed Alabama in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64. The junior sharpshooter scored 29 points en route to the upset, nailing seven 3-pointers in the process.

While Ryan had a performance to remember, it was a team effort that knocked the Crimson Tide out of the tournament. Paul Atkinson Jr., Blake Wesley and Nate Laszewski all scored in double figures against Alabama as well. As a team, the Fighting Irish combined to shoot 10-16 (62.5 percent) from deep and to go with a 29-54 (53.7 percent) from the floor, which proved to be the difference.

Alabama couldn’t keep up with Notre Dame’s pace in the second half, where the Fighting Irish stretched a five-point lead to double-digits thanks to a five-minute scoring drought for Alabama midway through the final half. Star guard Jahvon Quinerly was injured in the first half and did not return, instead reappearing in the tunnel on crutches and a brace over his knee. The Crimson Tide never regrouped.

The Crimson Tide would be able to cut the lead to single digits and gain momentum toward the end of regulation, but Notre Dame stifled the Alabama offense and completed the upset.

With the Notre Dame win, 11 seeds are now 2-0 in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan was the first to do so, defeating Colorado State Thursday afternoon and will face three-seed Tennessee in the Round of 32. The Fighting Irish are also the sixth double-digit seed to advance.

Notre Dame will now play Texas Tech in the Round of 32. The Red Raiders had one of the most dominant performances in the first round, demolishing Montana State 97-62 Friday afternoon. The game is slated for Sunday afternoon with the winner advancing to the Sweet 16.

Time for Sunday’s game will be determined at the conclusion of Friday’s NCAA Tournament slate.