No. 15 Notre Dame closes out preseason 2-0 with 89-71 victory
By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN
Associate Sports Editor
Forwards Ryan Humphrey and Troy Murphy formed a two-person team early in Sunday's 89-71 exhibition victory over the International Select All-Stars, scoring 16 of Notre Dame's first 18 points.
But the Irish discovered it takes more than two to win, as they couldn't build a commanding lead until other players began to hit the mark on offense.
"This was good for us because it didn't come easy," Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey said. "We had to do some tough things to win this basketball game. The other night, it was so showtime."
The International Select team, made up of former collegiate stars and led by former Irish star Ken Barlow, was a more athletic opponent than Notre Dame's first foe. It played three games in four days, beating Loyola (Ill.) and losing to Valparaiso and Notre Dame.
Murphy and Humphrey displayed signs early on of repeating Wednesday's highlight film win over the California Midwest All-Stars.
Murphy began the game with a 3-pointer. A little bit later, Humphrey soared for one of his eight first-half rebounds. The pair took turns pulling down boards and nailing free throws and field goals as the period continued.
The International Select team's LaSalle Thompson kept the All-Stars in it and gave them their first lead at 21-20 with two 3-pointers.
While Murphy was his usual All-American self with 16 points in the first period, it was Humphrey whose play astounded the crowd with his athleticism. With eight minutes, 27 seconds to go in the period, Humphrey leapt above the rim to grab a rebound and jammed the ball through the hoop for a dunk. Watching from the bench, Murphy's jaw dropped open in disbelief.
Murphy scored the next four points for Notre Dame on two free throws and easy bucket before Humphrey dropped in another rebound slam dunk.
But Barlow answered with two jump shots. He was a thorny presence in the side of the Irish, scoring 19 points and pulling down 10 rebounds in his first time back on the hardwood in the Joyce Center.
"He's got moves, and he can put the ball in the hole," junior guard/small forward David Graves said.
Irish shooting struggles translated into the tough mental job of staying sharp on defense while the offense was a no-go. In the first half, Notre Dame's long-distance shooters Matt Carroll and Martin Ingelsby went a combined 0-for-9 from the field, with Graves tossing in a 2-for-5 effort.
"Sometimes, when our shots aren't falling, it hurts us defensively," Brey said. "I thought we were frustrated. In the second half, we did a little better defensively and helping out."
Notre Dame had to pick up the slack when Humphrey went out late in the first period with a twisted knee. It took awhile to find a replacement.
"Ryan brings so much to our team. You can't replace his athleticism," Graves said.
Harold Swanagan, Notre Dame's starting center a year ago, hit two shots early in the second half in an attempt to make up for Humphrey's absence.
Midway through the second stanza, the other reserve center for the Irish — sophomore Ivan Kartelo — and Carroll began to find the bottom of the net. They reeled off 12 points between them in a four-minute period. Carroll hit two long jumpers from the right wing, while Kartelo scored his eight in the lane and at the charity stripe.
"I know that I'm helping the team to win the game," Kartelo said. "I'm just a back-up guy."
The scoring stream by Kartelo and Carroll gave the Irish a 66-55 lead. They didn't relinquish that advantage as Graves sunk 12 points in the final 5:40.
Notebook
u Humphrey did not play in the second half as a precautionary measure. He came down on his knee hard and an X-ray was taken at halftime, although Brey expects Humphrey to be fine.
"He really wanted to play," Brey said. "He was trying to sub himself back in without the trainer seeing."
u Barlow, 36, has played for eight years in Italy, three in Greece and three in Israel since graduating from Notre Dame. He is hoping to play one more season in Europe. After that, he would like to get into coaching. If an assistant position should ever open at Notre Dame, it would be high on his list.
"It [Notre Dame] means the world to me," Barlow said. "It's my heart and soul. My wife was a student here, and hopefully, someday, my kids will be students here."
The former Notre Dame player predicted good things for the Irish this season.
"Troy Murphy mixes it up well inside and outside. He's tough to handle," Barlow said. "I think the sky's the limit for him and the Irish this year. They have a deep bench."
u Four Notre Dame players scored in double digits — Murphy with 23, Graves with 19 and Humphrey and Carroll with 10. Kartelo and Swanagan each added nine.
All Sports Stories for Monday, November 13, 2000
