Men's Basketball: Hawks fall at Notre Dame in exhibition opener

The Rockhurst Hawks opened the 2006-07 season with a 79-44 loss to Notre Dame in exhibition play Wednesday night at the Joyce Center in South Bend, Ind. Box Score

"I wish we had competed a little better against the Irish," said Rockhurst coach Bill O'Connor. "I was impressed with their ability to shoot the ball and their intensity, possession by possession. I wish would have tested them a little bit better."

Notre Dame jumped out to a 43-17 halftime lead behind 53.1 percent shooting (17 of 32). The Hawks only hit 5 of 23 shots (21.7 percent) in the opening half.

In the second half, Rockhurst improved its shooting to 41.7 percent, while the Irish cooled off to 37.8 percent.

"Our starters were 7-for-26. When it goes that way, it sets a tone and I don’t think we were able to recover from that," O'Connor said.

Junior center John Torson led the Hawks with eight points. Senior forward Jon-Erik Price finished with seven points, senior guard Jordan Rider had five points and senior forward Kevin Martin collected five points.

Martin had a team-high six rebounds, as the Hawks were outrebounded by a 42-32 margin.

"It was the first time that some of the kids had been to Notre Dame. They’re experienced now. This is real," O'Connor added. "I wish we had pushed the Irish a little harder. We’re not as bad as we looked, but the credit should go to the Irish for that."

The Hawks host Benedictine in another exhibition game on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at RU's Mason-Halpin Field House.