One Notre Dame basketball player may have taken the schools moniker, the Fighting Irish, too seriously as punches are thrown in Tuesday’s Big East showdown against St. Johns. 

Notre Dame’s Cameron Biedscheid and St. John’s Sir'Dominic Pointer got into it with less than two minutes left in the game on Tuesday, March 5th.  Screened by ESPN the game showed St. John’s Pointer throwing the first punch.  The two then engaged but were quickly broken up by teammates and referees. In the midst of the scuffle, a security guard ran on to the court to restrain one player. Both players were ejected and consequently suspended from their next contests. 

Notre Dame basketball coach, Mike Brey, defended Biedscheid’s actions, “He felt it started with the other guy and he defended himself.  But under the rule, if you do throw a punch you’re ejected.” 

Notre Dame was up 26 points when the fight broke out and went on to win handily with a final score of 66 to 40.  Guards Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant led the way for the Irish with a combined 36 points and 15 assists.  Notre Dame is ranked 4th in the Big East and 24th in the nation and will hope to continue the success as March Madness nears.