Jack Cooley scored the first nine points of the game and finished with 19, Scott Martin pulled down 16 rebounds and No. 22 Notre Dame beat Evansville 58-49 Saturday in the season opener for both teams.
Cooley got the Irish off to a quick start and it wasn't until he took his first breather 5:34 into the game that another Notre Dame player scored when Eric Atkins hit a jumper. Cooley had 13 points on 4-of-4 shooting in the opening half to help send the Irish into the break with a 28-21 lead.
Notre Dame coach Mike Brey limited Cooley's minutes in the second half after the center picked up his third foul on an offensive charge just 1:22 into the period.
Ryan Sawvell had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Purple Aces.
