Notre Dame's Bonzie Colson (35) puts up a shot against Hampton during an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the NIT tournament, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in South Bend, Ind. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
The Associated Press
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Martinas Geben and T.J. Gibbs combined for 35 points, Bonzie Colson had a double-double and Notre Dame cruised to an 84-63 win over Hampton on Tuesday night in the opening round of the NIT.
Geben had 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, Gibbs added 17 with three 3-pointers and Colson scored 14 and grabbed 12 rebounds. The Irish (21-14), a top seed, scored six points after Hampton (19-16), an eight-seed, scored the first basket and pulled away.
Colson and Geben had back-to-back 3-point plays late in the first quarter for a 23-12 lead. The Bears scored eight straight late in the second quarter and trailed by 12 at the half but a 13-3 Irish run in the third quarter decided the game.
Notre Dame will host the winner of Wednesday's game between Temple and Penn State in the second round.
Hampton shot 30 percent and Notre Dame 42 percent in a game that featured 104 rebounds but only 17 turnovers and 24 free throws.
Jermaine Marrow had 21 points to lead the Bears.
Hampton's Kalin Fisher (23) blocks the shot of Notre Dame's Martinas Geben (23) during an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the NIT tournament, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in South Bend, Ind. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
The Associated Press
Notre Dame's Rex Pflueger (0) and Hampton's Malique Trent-Street (1) fight for a loose ball during an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the NIT tournament, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in South Bend, Ind. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
The Associated Press
Notre Dame's Temple "T.J."Gibbs Jr. (10) shoots against Hampton during an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the NIT tournament, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in South Bend, Ind. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
The Associated Press
Notre Dame's Rex Pflueger (0) shoots over Hampton's Akim Mitchell (25) during an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the NIT tournament, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in South Bend, Ind. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
The Associated Press
Notre Dame's Matt Farrell (5) dishes out a pass against Hampton during an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the NIT tournament, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in South Bend, Ind. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
The Associated Press
Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey calls out a play against Hampton during an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the NIT tournament, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in South Bend, Ind. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
The Associated Press
Hampton head coach Edward Joyner Jr. talks to his players against Notre Dame during an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the NIT tournament, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in South Bend, Ind. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
The Associated Press