Dec. 3, 2006

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WASHINGTON (AP) - Kyle McAlarney scored a career-high 18 points and keyed a second-half run to help Notre Dame beat No. 23 Maryland 81-74 Sunday night, handing the Terrapins their first loss of the season.

The Irish (6-1) were shooting just 31 percent before they made ten straight shots, including five 3-pointers, during a 25-7 run that turned a 44-37 deficit into a 62-51 lead in a span of 5 minutes.

McAlarney scored 10 during the run, including eight straight that gave the Irish a 57-49 lead.

Maryland (8-1) got no closer than six points the rest of the game.

Maryland coach Gary Williams said the Terrapins "didn't have the intensity level necessary to win the game."

"They made shots and took advantage of defensive lapses on our part," Williams said. "They got a lot of layups and we couldn't stop hem from driving the ball to the basket. Once they felt they could score on us, they got some confidence."

McAlarney finished 6-of-11 from the field, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Rob Kurz also scored 16 for the Irish and Colin Falls scored 14 despite hitting only one of eight 3-pointers.

D.J. Strawberry led the Terrapins with 17 points. Freshman Greivis Vasquez scored 13 on 4-of-15 shooting, and Ekene Ibekwe also scored 13.

The Irish shot just 33 percent in the first half and Maryland led 32-29 at halftime. But the Irish improved to 56 percent shooting in the second half.

Maryland shot 42 percent, including 6-of-18 on 3-point shots. Williams said he was dismayed by a season-low 11 assists.

"We didn't get the ball moving like we did in previous games," Williams said.