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Cooley scores 26, grabs 16 rebounds, Notre Dame beats DePaul 79-71 in OT

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Notre Dame forward Jack Cooley (45) shoots over DePaul guard Jamee Crockett (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Rosemont, Ill., on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (The Associated Press)

Notre Dame guard Eric Atkins (0) drives to the basket as DePaul guard Durrell McDonald (25) and forward Donnavan Kirk (23) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Rosemont, Ill., on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (The Associated Press)

Jack Cooley scored 26 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as Notre Dame beat DePaul 79-71 in overtime on Saturday.

The senior posted his 14th double-double of the season and his fifth straight game with 10 or more boards as the Fighting Irish (18-4, 6-4 Big East) won for the fourth time in five games.

All five DePaul starters reached double figures in points, but the Blue Demons suffered their sixth straight loss despite a gritty second-half comeback.

Eric Atkins scored the first five points of the extra period for Notre Dame and finished with 16 points.

Brandon Young led the Blue Demons (10-11, 1-7) with 15 points. Cleveland Melvin added 13 points and 10 rebounds.