Irish Breakdown

Notre Dame Basketball Closes Strong, Beats Stanford

Notre Dame does what it hasn't done most the year in rallying late to beat Stanford
Nick Shepkowski|
Mar 5, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Markus Burton (3) dribbles as Stanford Cardinal guard Jaylen Blakes (21) defends in the first half at the Purcell Pavilion.
Mar 5, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Markus Burton (3) dribbles as Stanford Cardinal guard Jaylen Blakes (21) defends in the first half at the Purcell Pavilion. | Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

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Notre Dame Fighting IrishStanford Cardinal

Notre Dame basketball has mostly had a season to forget but finally was able to close the deal against a formidable opponent on its home floor Wednesday night. The Fighting Irish, doing what it has failed to do most the season by rallying late, beat Stanford 56-54 at Purcell Pavilion.

Trailing 46-37 with roughly eight minutes to play, Notre Dame's defense locked down the Cardinal and allowed its offense to close the gap. A 15-0 Fighting Irish run, headed by seven Markus Burton points, put Notre Dame ahead 52-46 with 3:28 to play.

Of course, it wasn't easy from there as Stanford went on an 8-0 run itself to retake the lead with 1:18 to play. Notre Dame's defense locked things down from there though, not allowing another point and setting up what became a game-winning three pointer from Cole Certa with just 18 seconds left.

Certa's three-pointer made him just the second player on Notre Dame's roster (Burton) to make multiple field goal attempts all game.

Stanford had a chance to tie or win but a desperation heave by Ryan Agarwal didn't go and Notre Dame escaped with a win.

The Fighting Irish move to 13-17 overall and 7-12 in ACC play with the win while Stanford falls to 19-11 overall and 11-8 in conference.

Notre Dame closes the regular season on Saturday as it will play host to California.

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Nick Shepkowski
NICK SHEPKOWSKI

Managing Editor for Notre Dame On SI. Started covering Chicago sports teams for WSCR the Score, and over the years worked with CBS Radio, Audacy, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports as a contributor before running the Notre Dame wire site for USA TODAY.

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