Notre Dame’s Free (Throw) Ride Keys Upset of Connecticut

Connecticut defeated Notre Dame on the floor. The Huskies lost to the Irish at the free-throw line.

Notre Dame made 21 free throws while 13th-ranked Connecticut took just three Saturday in the Irish’s 68-66 victory, completing Notre Dame’s first sweep of the Huskies since joining the Big East Conference.

“The most frustrating thing is shoot 56%, win by 17 on the floor and lose,” said Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun, who made repeated veiled comments about the officiating in his postgame comments. “There really is no significant stat that would tell you one team outplayed the other team but one.”

After the Huskies left the floor, the student section rushed the court, hoisting a tearful Matt Doherty onto their shoulders as the first-year Notre Dame coach pumped his fist at the sellout crowd.

Ivan Kartelo blocked Albert Mouring’s three-point attempt with less than four seconds left to preserve the victory for Notre Dame (15-10, 6-5).

The Irish defeated Connecticut (17-6, 6-4) in their Big East opener behind 33 points and 16 rebounds from Troy Murphy.

But Murphy, who averages 23.2 points a game, struggled this time, making five of 20 shots for a team-high 18 points. He also had 10 rebounds.