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Grant scores 24, Jackson 16 as Notre Dame defeats UMass 81-68 in Hall of Fame Classic

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Notre Dame’s Demetrius Jackson (11) knocks the ball from Massachusetts’ Maxie Esho, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Uncasville, Conn. Notre Dame won 81-68. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) (The Associated Press)

Notre Dame’s Austin Burgett, right, guards Massachusetts’ Cady Lalanne, center, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Uncasville, Conn. Notre Dame won 81-68. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) (The Associated Press)

Demetrius Jackson and Jerian Grant combined to make 15 of 19 field goal attempts and Notre Dame remained unbeaten with an 81-68 victory Saturday over Massachusetts in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Grant, a senior guard from Bowie, Md., led the Irish (4-0) with 24 points on 10 of 13 shooting. Jackson was 5-for-6 from the field and finished with 16 points.

Jackson led Notre Dame's 13-steal effort on defense. The sophomore guard from Mishawaka, Ind., had three of his five steals in the first half.

Guard Derric Gordon led UMass (3-1) with 18 points. The Minutemen finished with 18 turnovers. Notre Dame converted those miscues into 23 points. UMass jumped out to a 19-9 lead with 10:33 remaining in the first half, but the Irish turned things around with their aggressive defense.