Notre Dame is back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2003 after surviving a dramatic turnover in the final seconds of regulation against Butler late Saturday night and winning 67-64 in overtime.
Junior Zach Auguste grabbed a rebound in the final seconds and began dribbling up court hoping for a heave at the basket, but officials correctly called him for a double dribble, giving the ball back to Butler in its offensive end with 2 seconds remaining.
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Butler junior Kellen Dunham worked his way free and took the inbounds pass, but Notre Dame senior Pat Connaughton leaped in from the side and blocked his potential game-winner out of bounds to save the day for the Fighting Irish. Two minutes into the overtime Connaughton makes huge 3-pointer after going 0-for-5 from behind 3-point line in regulation.
Jerian Grant scored on a driving runner in the final seconds to give Notre Dame a three-point lead. Steve Vastuira led Notre Dame with 20 points.
This is only the fourth time Notre Dame has been to the Sweet 16 since it advanced to the Final Four in 1978. The Irish have lost three consecutive Sweet 16 games. They will face the winner of Sunday's Kansas-Wichita State game next week in the Midwest Regional.
Butler guard Roosevelt Jones scored 23 points and Andrew Chrabascz added 20.
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[Kyle Ringo is the assistant editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at kyle.ringo@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KyleRingo
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