Notre Dame vs. Evansville final score: Irish outlast Aces in home opener, 58-49

Jack Cooley had 19 points and 11 rebounds as the No. 22 Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Evansville Aces, 58-49, Saturday.

The Fighting Irish shot just 40 percent for the game and 24 percent from three-point range but were able to hold the lead because Evansville shot just 31 percent for the game.

Notre Dame got off to a good start, led by Cooley, who scored the first nine points of the game. The Irish took a 28-21 lead into halftime. Cooley scored 13 of his 19 points in the first half. Cooley played the second half in foul trouble after picking up his third foul just after halftime.

Evansville played the Irish close in the second half. Colt Ryan scored 15 points and Ryan Sawvell had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Jerian Grant was the only other Notre Dame player in double figures, with 11 points. Grant and Cooley are the only two Irish players who shot better than 50 percent.