Sierra Canyon basketball downs Notre Dame with epic 4th quarter rally

Sierra Canyon used a 26-7 run after trailing 17 points to beat Notre Dame Friday night

CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA - Sierra Canyon was trailing 17 points with six minutes to go and everything was going Notre Dame’s way. Mercy Miller couldn’t miss. Lino Mark was getting to the rim, and even reserve Luther Tostrud hit a 3-pointer.

Meanwhile, Justin Pippen missed two straight free throws. Bryce Cofield was missing point-blank layups. Things looked bleak.

“We never stopped believing,” Sierra Canyon’s Isaiah Elohim said.

It was like something out of a movie.

The Trailblazers used a 26-7 run to anchor an eventual 81-75 Mission League victory over Notre Dame at home Friday night in front of sold out crowd on ESPNU.

Sierra Canyon trailed 66-49 before using a ferocious fullcourt press, impressive shot-making and a relentless crowd to power the comeback.

Sierra Canyon’s Isaiah Elohim rises up against Notre Dame on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 / Greg Fiore

Notre Dame turned the ball over 10 times in the fourth quarter. Center Bronson Schmidt-Uili fouled out with four minutes to play and Notre Dame clinging to a 68-60 lead.

“We stayed locked in,” Cofield said. “I really didn’t think about winning the game, but just chipping away one possession at a time.”

Sierra Canyon (24-1) will be SBLive’s new No. 1 team when the updated Top 25 rankings are released Sunday. The Trailblazers will also be the No. 1 seed in next week’s Mission League tournament.

Justin Pippen led Sierra Canyon (24-1) with 19 points. Isaiah Elohim had 18 and Bryce Cofield added 14, scoring 10 in the final frame. Bryce James finished with eight points with older brother Bronny James in attendance.

Scottie Pippen, Big Boy, Bronny James and Kenyon Martin are in the building tonight for Sierra Canyon vs. Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/EAi8orMFDB

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 27, 2024

Notre Dame’s Mercy Miller had 28 points and Lino Mark scored 21 to lead the Knights (24-1), which fell for the first time this season.

Mark was held scoreless in the fourth quarter.

HIGHLIGHTS

Bedlam in Chatsworth. UNREAL.

Bryce Cofield rebound and putback puts Sierra Canyon up 75-73 with 1:09 to play.

Part of a 26-7 run. pic.twitter.com/ESUmwb3Dle

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 27, 2024

Sierra Canyon was down 17 points (66-49), but now has pulled within 70-66 of Notre Dame with 3 to play.

17-4 run for Trailblazers. pic.twitter.com/xmvcPQXhR0

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 27, 2024

Luther Tostrud corner 3ball. GOOD.

Notre Dame on a 12-0 run and takes its biggest lead over Sierra Canyon, 66-49, with 6 to play. pic.twitter.com/hUBUXIGvbN

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 27, 2024

Lino Mark is the fastest player with the ball I’ve seen this season. He gets this bucket before the third quarter buzzer.

He’s got 21pts.

Notre Dame 60, Sierra Canyon 49. End of 3 pic.twitter.com/TJ190k8Cml

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 27, 2024

Sierra Canyon’s Jayden Alexander with a corner 3ball. GOOD.

Notre Dame still leads Sierra Canyon 53-49. 3:36, 3Q pic.twitter.com/UzWKrKZ96J

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 27, 2024

Notre Dame breaks the press and it leads to a dunk. Knights are in a rhythm and up on Sierra Canyon 35-27. 2:20, 2Q pic.twitter.com/2SRG2TUEl7

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 27, 2024

Bronson Schmidt-Uili with the two-handed jam off the slip.

Notre Dame 27, Sierra Canyon 22. 4:45, 2Q pic.twitter.com/Wsu1tRqQig

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 27, 2024