SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Eric Atkins scored a career-high 27 points as Notre Dame held off visiting Mississippi Valley State 80-67 in the season opener for both teams on Saturday.
Atkins was 6 for 7 from the floor and 12 for 12 from the free-throw line, and contributed six assists and four rebounds. Scott Martin added 15 points for Notre Dame.
Terrence Joyner and Kevin Burwell led MVSU with 14 points each.
Falando Jones got hot in the second half for MVSU, scoring all of his 13 points. His 3-pointer with 12:33 left got the Delta Devils within 50-48. Notre Dame answered with a 7-0 run, and a Joey Brooks 3-pointer with 7:02 left put the Irish ahead by 10.
Notre Dame captain Tim Abromaitis missed the game, the first of a four-game suspension by the NCAA for playing in the Irish’s two preseason exhibition games during his sophomore year in 2008.
