By Brian HamiltonNEW ORLEANS -- The gym is practically empty, there are a few NCAA tournament first-timers on the floor and the pace of play dictated that this was not to be the most aesthetically pleasing first-round NCAA tournament game.
And it surely isn't, but No. 6-seed Notre Dame has battled sluggishness and mental breakdowns and foul trouble to cling to a 28-22 halftime lead over 11th-seeded Old Dominion at New Orleans Arena.
With Luke Harangody and Tyrone Nash both picking up two first-half fouls, the Irish spent an inordinate amount of time in an offensively challenged lineup, and the 40.7 percent first-half shooting -- and just 4-of-14 from 3-point range -- wouldn't allow them to pull away from a Monarchs squad firing at just a 34.5 percent clip.
Photo: Notre Dame's Tory Jackson fires up a shot in the first half. (Chris Graythen/Getty)
Notre Dame got lifts from two sources, one with NCAA tournament experience and one making a splash in his debut. Ben Hansbrough leads the Irish with 10 first-half points, his 3-pointer opening up what was a nine-point lead late.
And Carleton Scott has been all over the floor, with seven points and six rebounds for the Irish -- including one monster follow-dunk that will be splayed over highlights all night.
And Carleton Scott has been all over the floor, with seven points and six rebounds for the Irish -- including one monster follow-dunk that will be splayed over highlights all night.
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