Preview: Purdue Fort Wayne at Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Interstat) — A surging Notre Dame looks to extend its winning streak when it hosts Purdue Fort Wayne in nonconference men’s basketball on Sunday at Joyce Center.

The Fighting Irish (9-3) have won five straight, including an 82-58 rout of Evansville last Saturday. They are led by guard Braeden Shrewsberry, who is averaging 18.2 points over the last five games. He scored a season-high 26 points against Evansville.

“We’re building good habits and playing with more connectivity,” Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry said. “Every game is an opportunity to improve before the (ACC) grind.”

The Mastodons (7-6) have won three of their last four, most recently an 81-77 victory over Detroit on Dec. 14. Guard Mikale Stevenson paces Purdue Fort Wayne, averaging 15.2 points and 4.2 assists during the team’s current stretch of improved play. He scored 22 points with four assists in the win over Detroit.

Notre Dame’s defense, allowing just 62.8 points per game during its streak, will be tested by a Mastodons offense that has scored 80 or more points in four of its last five outings.

“They’re playing with great confidence and have multiple guys who can score,” Shrewsberry said of Purdue Fort Wayne. “Stevenson makes them go. We have to be disciplined.”

This marks the final nonconference tune-up for Notre Dame before opening Atlantic Coast Conference play at Stanford on Dec. 30. Purdue Fort Wayne begins Horizon League action at Milwaukee on Dec. 29.

The Irish hold a 3-0 all-time series advantage, last winning 88-58 in December 2019.