In a thrilling ACC matchup, No. 17 Virginia overcame a 19-point deficit to outlast Notre Dame 100-97 in double overtime, with Sam Lewis hitting a clutch three-pointer to force the second overtime and secure the victory.
The game took place on Tuesday night at Notre Dame’s home court, where the Fighting Irish started strong, hitting eight of their first eleven three-pointers to build a commanding 39-20 lead in the first half. Virginia, however, began chipping away at the deficit, closing the half with a 15-5 run fueled by Thijs De Ridder’s scoring. This early surge set the stage for a dramatic comeback, as the Cavaliers demonstrated their resilience against a determined Notre Dame team.
After halftime, Virginia continued their resurgence, going on a 17-2 run to take their first lead at 57-54. Notre Dame fought back, regaining a 70-64 advantage with just over two minutes remaining, but Virginia’s tenacity kept them in the game. The back-and-forth nature of the second half highlighted the competitive spirit of both squads, with neither willing to concede easily.
Regulation ended tied at 73-all after Devin Tillis hit key free throws with 18 seconds left, and Notre Dame missed two three-pointers in the closing seconds. In the first overtime, with Notre Dame poised to win, Sam Lewis drilled a three-pointer with three seconds left to tie the score at 85, sending the game to double overtime. This pivotal moment underscored Lewis’s clutch performance under pressure.
Thijs De Ridder led Virginia with a career-high 32 points before fouling out in the second overtime, marking the first time a Cavalier scored 30 points since 2018. Sam Lewis added 21 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, including the crucial final four points after De Ridder’s exit. For Notre Dame, Cole Certa scored a career-high 34 points, supported by Jalen Haralson’s 20, Braeden Shrewsberry’s 18, and Brady Koehler’s 16, but their efforts fell short.
This comeback matched Virginia’s largest in school history, equaling a feat from 2006 against Arizona. The win improved Virginia to 17-3 overall and 6-2 in the ACC, solidifying their position in the conference standings. Notre Dame fell to 11-10 and 2-6, extending their winless streak against ranked opponents to 0-14 under coach Micah Shrewsberry’s tenure.
The victory keeps Virginia in contention in the competitive ACC, showcasing their depth and ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Both teams look ahead to their next games, with Virginia facing Boston College and Notre Dame traveling to Syracuse this Saturday, as they continue their conference campaigns.
