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Notre Dame edges South Florida 74-73

Jan 6, 2010 - 2:32 AM By FRED GOODALL AP Sports Writer

TAMPA, Fla.(AP) -- Luke Harangody made a free throw with 1.9 seconds left, capping a season-best 36-point performance, and giving Notre Dame a 74-73 victory over South Florida on Tuesday night.

The Fighting Irish (13-3, 2-1 Big East) squandered a 13-point second-half lead before Harangody's first basket in more than 10 minutes wiped out a 71-69 deficit and Tyrone Nash sank two free throws for a 73-71 lead.

Dominique Jones scored 26 for USF (10-4, 0-2) and Mike Mercer's tip-in in the final minute set the stage for a dramatic finish. Harangody was fouled by Mercer trying to muscle a potential game-winning shot between a double team.

The Notre Dame star made the first free throw, then missed the second to give USF one more chance to pull out a win. The Bulls called a timeout to set up a play, but were unable to successfully inbound the ball.