Bulls rally but fall short against Irish, Harangody

University of South Florida basketball coach Stan Heath knew the biggest key to beating Notre Dame was to contain senior forward Luke Harangody.

But as Heath and the rest of the Bulls learned Tuesday night, knowing what to do and actually doing it are two entirely different things.

Harangody accounted for 49 percent of Notre Dame's scoring, including a free throw with 1.9 seconds remaining, as the Bulls fell 74-73 in front of a season-high Sun Dome crowd of 5,107.

"We wanted Luke to make a play, and he did," Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. "He made a heck of a play and drew a foul. You're going to win or lose a game with your best player having his hands on the ball."

Harangody finished with 36 points and six rebounds as he showed off his repertoire by banging low in the post, hitting mid-range jumpers and fadeaways, and going 4-for-5 from 3-point range.

"He's fun to watch and is a great player," Heath said. "This is my third year seeing him, and every year he's added to his game. ... What a great college player. Every time we don't play them, I'm a fan of his, for sure."

Harangody scored 12 consecutive points for the Irish (13-3, 2-1) during one stretch of the second half to give Notre Dame a 57-44 lead.

USF (10-4, 0-2) would not go quietly, however, as the Bulls put together a furious rally and took their first lead since early in the second half when Toarlyn Fitzpatrick slammed home a rebound with 1:50 remaining to put USF ahead 71-69.

Notre Dame scored the next four to go up 73-71 before Mike Mercer's tip-in of his own miss tied it at 73 with 25 seconds remaining. The Irish milked the clock before getting the ball to Harangody, who was fouled by Mercer as he went up for the shot.

"I didn't see the call whether it was a foul or not, but you just hate it that it has to be settled that way," Heath said. "But it is what it is."

USF shot 52.9 percent from the floor. Dominique Jones led the Bulls with 26 points and five assists, while Mercer finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Jarrid Famous (14 points) and Fitzpatrick (13) also reached double figures.