Notre Dame tops Virginia to end 9-game losing streak in Charlottesville

Field Level Media|published: Sat 25th January, 21:02 2025

Jan 25, 2025; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Markus Burton (3) controls the ball as Virginia Cavaliers guard Dai Dai Ames (7) defends during the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Markus Burton scored 21 points and made four 3-pointers to lead the visiting Notre Dame Fighting Irish to a 74-59 road victory over Virginia on Saturday night at Charlottesville, Va.

Burton, who shot 7-of-14 from the field, exited the game with 5:41 remaining, then returned moments later and finished the game. Burton missed seven games earlier this season due to a right knee injury, but he has energized the Irish since his return.

Notre Dame (9-10, 3-5 in Atlantic Coast Conference play) won on Virginia's home floor for the first time in 10 meetings and have now won two of their past three games after losing the previous four. Notre Dame also became just the third team to score 70 or more points against Virginia in the Cavaliers' past 65 home games.

Virginia (9-11, 2-7 in ACC) failed to put together back-to-back wins after snapping a five-game losing streak Tuesday against Boston College and has gone 4-9 in its past 13 games. Jacob Cofie led Virginia with 17 points and six rebounds.

Notre Dame led by as many as 27 points with 8:11 to go before Elijah Saunders and Cofie combined for 10 consecutive points to shrink the Cavaliers' deficit to 63-46 with four minutes left.

Nikita Konstantynovskyi's jumper broke the run and, coupled with Braeden Shrewsberry's 3-pointer with 3:11 left, helped Notre Dame hold off any potential comeback. Konstantynovskyi was one of four Fighting Irish players who finished with at least six rebounds as they outrebounded Virginia 39-27.

Isaac McKneely, Virginia's leading scorer, totaled 14 points in the first half. But Notre Dame did a great job defensively limiting his touches and opportunities as he was held scoreless on 0 for 4 shooting in the second half, with all four misses from 3-point range.

Tae Davis finished with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Fighting Irish while Shrewsberry totaled 13 points and three assists. Also for the Cavaliers, Saunders had nine points and six rebounds.

--Field Level Media

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