Indiana Edges Notre Dame in Game 1 of Crossroads Classic

Franklin Hits Big Shot in Crunch Time

by Steven Stremming

The ninth edition of the Crossroads Classic got off to a rocking start when the Indiana Hoosiers came back from a late five point deficit to claim a almost improbable 62 to 60 win.

For most of the game, Indiana had ran away and hid at times with leads that were constantly double digit because Notre Dame struggled mightly from the field, especially behind the arc.

Indiana meanwhile had a big first half from Butler graduate and Southport, Indiana product Joey Brunk.

Photo by: Randy Beckett, Excel Sports Publications

Brunk had totaled ten boards and scored eight points at the break as Indiana led 34 to 23 and seemingly cruising for a comfortable win.

Notre Dame struggled in the first half subpar shooting but did turn the ball over only six times.

The second half showed Indiana once again controlling the tempo until running into a cold spell while the Irish went on  a scoring run of 12 points to give the Irish a five point lead late.

Cathedral graduate Armaan Franklin buried a three point shot to give the lead back to Indiana.

Photo by: Randy Beckett, Excel Sports Publications

The Hoosiers were led by Franklin’s 17 along with freshman Trayce Jackson-Davis’ 14 and North Babylon, New York senior guard Devonte Green’s 11.

Photo by: Randy Beckett, Excel Sports Publications

Brunk added nine points and a game high 14 rebounds, which included four offensive boards, Al Durham added five and Justin Smith scored four.

Notre Dame was led by Upper Arlington, Ohio’s Dane Goodwin’s 15 along with Orlando, Florida’s Senior John Mooney’s 15.

Photo by: Randy Beckett, Excel Sports Publications

Juwan Durham added 11 and Nate Laszewski scored ten too.

Mooney and Laszewski led the Irish with ten boards a piece.

Indiana improves to 6 and 3 in Classic History while the Irish fall to 4 and 5.

Attendance for Game One was 18,538

For more photos by Randy Beckett please visit:  https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/i7OxGH4x3JZUyyNw97QF0UXQlN2OUVfGKTjF3PMOyzY

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