A heartbreaking loss for Notre Dame, as their three-point shooters fell short in a thrilling encounter against Florida State. The Irish fought valiantly, but their efforts were not enough to overcome the Seminoles' long-range barrage.
With the game on the line, Notre Dame's top shooters, Cole Certa and Braeden Shrewsberry, had their chances in the final seconds. Despite clean looks, their shots rimmed out, leaving the Irish just short of a much-needed victory.
But here's where it gets controversial... Florida State, known for their long-distance shooting, came into the game ranked 17th in the ACC for three-point accuracy. Yet, they caught fire, converting an impressive 15 out of 37 attempts (40.5%) from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Notre Dame managed only 10 makes on 31 attempts (32.3%).
Chauncey Wiggins, Florida State's second-leading scorer, had a game-high 22 points by halftime, while their leading scorer, Robert McCray V, added 15.
Notre Dame trailed by double digits for most of the first half but mounted a valiant comeback, outscoring the Seminoles 47-41 in the second half. The momentum shifted, but the Irish couldn't deliver the knockout blow.
Head coach Micah Shrewsberry took full responsibility for the slow start, acknowledging the need for urgency from the opening tip.
"We were way too casual," Shrewsberry said. "I have to ensure we're ready to play from the get-go."
And this is the part most people miss... the turning point of the game.
Florida State's hot three-point shooting early on gave them a double-digit lead just 3:26 into the game. The Seminoles hit four of their first five attempts, setting the tone for the contest.
Despite Notre Dame's best efforts, they couldn't quite get over the hump. Sir Mohammed's clutch offensive rebound and subsequent turnover, along with missed opportunities at the free-throw line, proved costly.
"It's a fine line," Shrewsberry said of the decision to keep Carson Towt in the game. "(The Seminoles) make it tough to get the ball inbounds, and we have limited options for contested catches."
In the end, it was Florida State's ability to hit crucial shots and Notre Dame's missed opportunities that decided the outcome.
So, what do you think? Was it the early three-point barrage that sealed the deal for Florida State, or did Notre Dame's missed chances play a bigger role? Let's discuss in the comments and share your thoughts on this thrilling matchup!
