Markus Burton Sets Freshman Debut Record in Notre Dame's 70-63 Victory Over Niagara

Burton Shines with 29 Points and Breaks 35-Year Old Record in Notre Dame's Season-Opening Victory

Freshman Markus Burton scored a record-breaking 29 points in his debut match for Notre Dame, leading them to a 70-63 victory over Niagara, overcoming a double-digit first-half deficit.
Burton, hailing from Mishawaka, Ind., shattered a 35-year-old record by LaPhonso Ellis by outscoring Ellis' score of 27 points from a freshman in his debut in 1988.
The victory also marked a successful coaching debut for Micah Shrewsberry, who began his tenure at Notre Dame with a victory despite the team being underdogs in light of last season's 11-win performance.
Niagara, led in scoring by Luke Bumbalough and Ahmad Henderson II each with 14 points, initially led the match and kept the pressure heightened but fell behind in the second half as Notre Dame shot 57.7 percent from the field.
In key plays throughout the match, Burton's three-pointer and consequent jumper helped Notre Dame get ahead of Niagara to a 59-56 lead, an advantage they maintained and stretched till the game's end.