Woolbright, Jones lead Western Carolina to 71-61 victory over Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- — Vonterius Woolbright scored 22 points, Russell Jones Jr. added 20 points, and Western Carolina knocked off Notre Dame 71-61 on Saturday.

Woolbright added 11 rebounds for his 11th career double-double. Although he was just 5 for 20 from the field, he made 11 of 12 from the free-throw line. Jones was 8-for-11 shooting. DJ Campbell added 12 points for Western Carolina (2-0).

Leading 55-39 with 12 1/2 minutes to go, the Catamounts went ice cold, making two of their next 15 shots as Notre Dame got to within 62-59. Freshman Carey Booth scored eight points in Notre Dame's 20-7 run.

Notre Dame then went cold, missing several shots and going scoreless over the next 3 minutes as Western Carolina extended its lead back to double digits.

Booth led Notre Dame (1-1) with 20 points in 24 minutes off the bench. Fellow freshman Markus Burton scored 17 points and Julian Roper II had 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Catamounts took the lead 2 minutes into the game and never game it back. They led 23-12 near the 9-minute mark before Notre Dame went on a 13-4 capped by Booth's three-point play to get within 27-25. A three-point play by Woolbright, a 3-pointer by Bernard Pelote, and a 3-pointer by Woolbright started a 15-4 run that left the Catamounts with a 42-29 halftime lead.

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