By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- A Kentucky lead that hovered around 10 points most of the game was cut to just three, at 66-63, on a pair of free throws by Chris Quinn with 1:07 left in the game.
The No. 9 Wildcats, however, came up with defensive stops and scored the final five points of the game to douse the Notre Dame rally effort and walk away with a 71-63 victory.
It was the 10th straight victory over Notre Dame for the Wildcats.
The win lifts Kentucky to 13-2 while the Irish drop to 9-6.
Daniels scored Kentucky's first eight points and led the effort which put the Irish at an early disadvantage.
Notre Dame's defense struggled to stop Kentucky, inside or outside, as forward Chuck Hayes scored 21 points for the Wildcats and guards Gerald Fitch and Kelenna Azubuike added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Notre Dame, which used only seven players, was led by guards Torrian Jones and Chris Thomas with 16 points apiece. Tom Timmermans added 10 points while Torin Francis grabbed 12 rebounds to go with eight points.
Despite the late Irish run, Kentucky coach Tubby Smith was pleased with his team's effort.
The Irish host Miami Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. in a Big East Conference contest. Notre Dame is 3-2 in league play.
Kentucky……..71
Notre Dame….63
Kentucky: Erik Daniels 4 0-0 8, Chuck Hayes 7 7-10 21, Cliff Hawkins 0 1-2 1, Gerald Fitch 6 2-3 15, Kelenna Azubuike 5 3-3 14, Ravi Moss 0 0-0 0, Josh Carrier 2 0-0 6, Lukasz Obrzut 2 0-0 4, Bernard Cote 0 0-0 0, Bobby Perry 1 0-0 2, Sheray Thomas 0 0-0 0, Antwain Barbour 0 0-0 0. Totals: 27 13-18 71
Notre Dame: Torin Francis 2 4-7 8, Tom Timmermans 4 2-2 10, Torrian Jones 7 2-4 16, Chris Thomas 7 0-0 16, Chris Quinn 2 4-4 9, Jordan Cornette 2 0-0 4, Colin Falls 0 0-0 0. Totals: 24 12-17 63
Halftime score: Kentucky 39, Notre Dame 29
3-point shooting: Kentucky 4 (Carrier 2, Fitch, Azubuike), Notre Dame 3 (Thomas 2, Quinn). Team fouls (fouled out): Kentucky 19 (none), Notre Dame 13 (none). Team records: Kentucky 13-2, Notre Dame 9-6