Beachem scores 21 to help lead Notre Dame past Loyola (Md)

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame's V.J. Beachem scored 21 points Friday night and teammate Bonzie Colson added 19 as the Irish coasted to an 83-48 victory over visiting Loyola of Maryland.

"Right now, he is just so darn confident," said Notre Dame coach Mike Brey, whose team improved to 3-0. "He's a very, very confident guy."

Beachem scored in a variety of ways -- 3-pointers, drives to the basket, from the free-throw line.

"That's what was neat tonight," Brey said. "He's a moving target."

Beachem fueled a first-half spurt in which the Irish overcame an early deficit to wrestle control of the game. Trailing 10-6, Beachem scored 10 points during a 23-5 run as the Irish opened up a big lead.

"Just to get in a rhythm like that and the guys finding me, it feels great," Beachem said.

"V.J. Beachem's really good," said Loyola coach G.G. Smith, whose team fell to 1-3. "We let him dominate the game today.Colson killed us too."

As well as Beachem and Colson played offensively, the talk after the game was how well the Irish played defensively. Notre Dame forced 18 turnovers and limited the Greyhounds to 16 of 54 from the field (29 percent).

"I loved how we defended. I thought we were flying all over the place. Love that energy," Brey said

Andre Walker, Andrew Kostecka, Jarred Jones and James Fives each scored eight points to top Loyola. Walker entered the game averaging 15 points per game while Jones came in with a 14-point average.

Notre Dame steadily built on a 14-point halftime lead to put the game away. The Irish connected on 34 of 70 shots from the field (48 percent), including 10 of 25from 3-point range (40 percent).

The Irish dressed in all green uniforms on their home court, and the look stood out to Brey, especially when his team was dazzling on defense.

"The speed defense was amazing to watch," Brey said, "and with these green uniforms, I was getting cross-eyed."

BIG PICTURE

Notre Dame: The Irish are in the midst of a busy stretch with Friday's game their second in three days. Notre Dame's victory over Seattle Wednesday began a 14-day span in which it will play six games.

Loyola: The Greyhounds lost for the third time in four outings. Loyola's first two losses came by five and four points prior to Friday's 35-point setback to the Irish.

UP NEXT

Notre Dame: Notre Dame hits the road for the first time this season when it plays Colorado Monday against Colorado in the Legends Classic at Barclays Center in New York.

Loyola: After opening with three of its first four away from home, Loyola will entertain Fairfield Wednesday afternoon.