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SOUTH BEND – San Francisco coach Jessie Evans and Notre Dame point guard Tory Jackson are Saginaw Valley guys.
Evans is familiar with Jackson’s high school, Buena Vista in Saginaw, Mich., and he knew about the guard’s talents.
Evans said he spoke with Jackson before Saturday’s game, and after the Irish escaped with an 84-76 win over the Dons, he lamented about talking to Jackson.
“I shouldn’t have told him that,” Evans said. “I should have waited until after the game because I’m sure he wanted to show me how good he was.”
For Notre Dame, whatever it took to motivate Jackson was important. Jackson has been frustrated with his level of play.
“Lately in practices I’ve been getting work in and doing things that I haven’t been doing,” Jackson said. “Just making decisions and things like that. The other game when I sat out I felt real confident in that game, too, but I hurt my elbow and had to sit out the rest of the game.
“Today I had to make up for that game, too. I felt confident. I feel like I’m one of the best guards, and I haven’t been playing that way.”
Jackson scored 15 points and recorded 10 assists and six rebounds against San Francisco. Irish forward Luke Harangody had a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
“I ran, we got out and got out and hit open threes, and I was able to make good plays and get past the guard on the first move,” Jackson said.
“I haven’t been doing that lately. It’s a confidence builder for me.”
Notre Dame relied on its sophomores to hold off San Francisco, which went from an afterthought to a legitimate upset contender midway through the second half.
The Dons (4-8) cut the Irish’s 43-29 halftime lead to 58-53 with 9:24 to play, but Harangody scored the next eight points, putting Notre Dame ahead 66-53 with 6:59 left.
During San Francisco’s surge in the second half, Ayers hit the three-pointer on the baseline in front of the Notre Dame bench – the same spot he hit a critical three-point shot against Villanova last season.
That win against the Wildcats propelled the Irish into a NCAA Tournament berth. This win gave Notre Dame its 26th straight at home and kept the Irish (8-2) from what could have been a devastating loss come March.
“That was a big shot right there,” Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. “That was really a breathing-room jump shot.”
San Francisco cut Notre Dame’s lead to 81-76 when Dons guard Manny Quezada, who scored a game-high 25 points, hit a layup with 11.5 seconds left, but the Irish held on for the win.
“They had a couple guys who had great nights,” forward Rob Kurz said. “We had some turnovers in the second half that let them get back into the game.”
mrothstein@jg.net
