Notre Dame Fighting Irish's Second Half Surge Falls Short Against SMU Mustangs at Moody Coliseum

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish faced off against the SMU Mustangs in a gripping encounter at Moody Coliseum. Despite a valiant effort, the Irish fell short with an 89-81 result, bringing their record to 0-1. The Mustangs improved their standing to 1-0.

First Half

The game began with both teams showcasing their offensive prowess. The Mustangs took an early lead, scoring 43 points in the first half compared to the Fighting Irish's 37. The home team capitalized on their shooting efficiency, making 52 percent of field goals and dominating rebounds with a total of 38 by game's end.

Second Half

In the second half, Notre Dame rallied back with determination. Jalen Haralson led the charge for ND, contributing significantly to their second-half score of 44 points. Haralson's performance was complemented by Brady Koehler's impressive shooting accuracy, hitting all his three-point attempts and achieving an overall field goal percentage of 80 percent.

Despite these efforts from key players like Haralson and Koehler, who combined for crucial points and rebounds, ND struggled defensively against SMU's relentless attack. The Ponies maintained pressure throughout with Corey Washington orchestrating plays that resulted in effective ball movement and high-percentage shots.

Final Analysis

Ultimately, it was SMU’s ability to capitalize on turnovers that sealed their victory. They converted numerous opportunities into fast break points while maintaining composure under pressure during critical moments of play.

For fans eager for more action from ND after this intense matchup: mark your calendars! Their next game is scheduled against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on February 14th at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend; catch it live on The CW Network at noon Eastern Time.

Stay tuned as we continue following every step along this season’s journey—share this article if you enjoyed our recap!