Mike Brey's Notre Dame squad opened the 2011-2012 season by fattening up on a steady diet of cupcakes to begin the year 4-0. The opponents were going to get tougher eventually for the Fighting Irish, and on Monday, Notre Dame faced that dark reality.
Senior forward Ricardo Ratliffe scored 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds to help lead No. 21 Missouri (4-0) to a decisive 87-58 win over Notre Dame at the Sprint Center. The Irish trailed by 15 at halftime and were never really competitive.
Senior forward Tim Abromaitis returned from suspension to make his season debut for Notre Dame and provided most of the highlights for the Irish. Abromaitis scored 22 points off the bench and added seven rebounds and three assists. Guard Scott Martin scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds for Notre Dame in the loss.
Next up for the Irish is another cupcake: Bryant University on November 27.