Monmouth Upsets Notre Dame, 70-68
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Justin Robinson scored 22 points, including two free throws with 3.6 seconds left, and Monmouth upset No. 17 Notre Dame, 70-68, in the first round of the AdvoCare Invitational on Thursday night.
Robinson was fouled driving to the basket and calmly made the decisive shots from the foul line. Demetrius Jackson's midcourt jumper at the buzzer was well off the mark.
Monmouth (3-1) also got 15 points from Micah Seaborn.
Jackson had 20 points for Notre Dame (3-1).
Robinson hit two free throws before the Fighting Irish tied it at 68 on Jackson's three-point play with 32 seconds to go. Jackson had five points during an 8-0 run that cut Notre Dame's deficit to 62-59 with 4 minutes left.
Collin Stewart's long jumper lifted Monmouth to a 51-47 lead 8 minutes into the second half. The Hawks extended it to 62-51 on a fast-break basket by Seaborn.
After being held to three first-half points, Robinson had six during the first 4 minutes of the second period to help Monmouth pull to 39-37. His three-point play gave the Hawks a 44-43 advantage with 14 minutes left.
V.J. Beachem had 11 points and Steve Vasturia chipped in with 10 as Notre Dame went up 37-29 at halftime.
Monmouth held a 17-14 lead 8 minutes into the game before Jackson scored his first five points, including a 3 just before the shot clock expired, and Vasturia added a 3 to put Notre Dame up 22-17.
Jackson had nine first-half points, including a slam dunk during the final minute.
Notre Dame's Zach Auguste was held to two points during the opening 20 minutes and ended up with 12.
Je'lon Hornbeak and Seaborn both scored seven points in the opening half for Monmouth.
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