Notre Dame's valiant effort to prevent a four-game losing streak fell short against Florida State's three-point barrage. Despite leading by 18 points in the first half, the Irish couldn't hold on, losing 82-79 at Purcell Pavilion. Cole Certa and Braeden Shrewsberry, Notre Dame's top three-point shooters, missed crucial shots in the final seconds, allowing Florida State to secure its third consecutive victory. The Seminoles' success from beyond the arc was remarkable, converting 15 out of 37 three-point attempts (40.5%), while Notre Dame struggled with just 10 out of 31 (32.3%). Chauncey Wiggins, Florida State's second-leading scorer, finished with a game-high 22 points, while leading scorer Robert McCray V contributed 15. The turning point came when Logan Imes' three-pointer with 2:07 remaining gave Notre Dame its first lead of the game, but it proved to be fleeting. The Irish couldn't make the necessary plays to overcome Florida State's strong performance, despite outscoring them in the second half. Head coach Micah Shrewsberry took responsibility for the team's slow start, emphasizing the need for urgency from the beginning. The Irish struggled with free throws, with Carson Towt missing four straight, and the team's overall free-throw shooting percentage was just 62.5%. The final play saw Certa miss a wide-open shot, and Towt's rebound and pass to Braeden Shrewsberry couldn't send the game into overtime. The Seminoles' three-point shooting and clutch performances from Wiggins and McCray V proved to be the difference-makers. Despite the loss, the game showcased the team's resilience, as they fought back from a double-digit deficit in the first half. The Irish will look to bounce back against SMU, aiming to improve their free-throw shooting and overall performance.
