Cole Certa Catches Fire, Drops 37 in Notre Dame’s Statement Win Over Georgia Tech
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - On a day known for hearts and roses, Cole Certa brought the heat and the buckets. The sophomore guard lit up Georgia Tech for a career-high 37 points, leading Notre Dame to an emphatic 89-74 victory at Purcell Pavilion. It was a performance that didn’t just turn heads - it may have reignited the Irish’s push for relevance in the ACC Tournament conversation.
With the win, Notre Dame improved to 12-14 overall and 3-10 in conference play. And while the record still has work to do, this one mattered.
It snapped a three-game ACC skid and extended the Irish’s dominance over Georgia Tech in South Bend to 12 straight wins. The Yellow Jackets, now 11-15 (2-11 ACC), simply had no answers for Certa - or for the Irish’s second-half surge.
Certa’s Career Night
Let’s start with the obvious: Cole Certa was electric. He poured in 37 points - tying Matt Farrell for the second-most ever by an Irish player in an ACC game - and did it with a shooter’s efficiency.
Certa went 12-of-20 from the field, including a sizzling 7-of-11 from beyond the arc. He dropped 21 in the first half alone, becoming the first Notre Dame player to hit the 20-point mark before halftime since Markus Burton did it at Syracuse last season.
Certa’s now riding a four-game double-digit scoring streak, the longest of his young career, and this was his second 30+ point outing of the season. He’s not just getting hot - he’s evolving into a go-to scorer, right in front of our eyes.
Shrewsberry Stays Steady
While Certa was the headline, Braeden Shrewsberry once again proved he’s more than just a complementary piece. The junior guard added 20 points of his own, knocking down four threes and dishing out a team-high four assists. It was his fourth 20-point game of the season and another example of how he and Certa are becoming one of the more dangerous backcourts in the ACC.
The two have now combined for 50 made threes over the last six games. That’s not just volume - that’s rhythm, chemistry, and confidence.
Imes Steps Up
With freshman Jalen Haralson sidelined, Logan Imes got the start - and made the most of it. The sophomore guard notched career highs in both points (14) and rebounds (9), shooting 6-of-12 from the field and adding three assists. He opened the game with a three and never looked back, playing with poise and energy on both ends.
Imes’ emergence couldn’t have come at a better time. If he can continue to give the Irish quality minutes, especially with Haralson out, it adds another layer to a team that’s quietly starting to find its identity.
Dominant Second Half
Notre Dame’s first half was impressive - 11 made threes on 19 attempts, 45 points on 42.9% shooting - but it was the second half where they really flexed their muscle. After being outrebounded 17-15 in the first 20 minutes, the Irish flipped the script and dominated the glass 21-6 in the second half. That kind of turnaround speaks to effort, adjustments, and a team that’s learning how to close.
The Irish opened the second half on an 8-2 run, stretching their lead to 18 and forcing a Georgia Tech timeout less than five minutes in. From there, it was all Notre Dame - with key contributions from Shrewsberry, Imes, Julian Towt, and Kebba Njie Sundra. Towt, in particular, energized the crowd with a dunk and a putback that pushed the lead to 24.
And then, of course, Certa took over again. He scored 12 straight points for Notre Dame late in the second half, putting the game out of reach and putting an exclamation point on a career night.
By the Numbers
- Three-Point Shooting: Notre Dame finished with 14 made threes on 28 attempts (50%). Georgia Tech, by comparison, shot just 8-of-24 from deep.
- Field Goal Efficiency: The Irish shot 47.8% overall, while holding the Yellow Jackets to 43.1%.
- Rebounding: A tale of two halves - Notre Dame dominated the glass 21-6 in the second half after trailing at the break.
- Ball Movement: The Irish tallied 15 assists on 32 made field goals, showing improved flow and unselfish play.
What’s Next
Notre Dame gets a few days to rest and regroup before hitting the road for a Saturday showdown at Pittsburgh. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.
If this version of the Irish - the one with a red-hot Certa, a steady Shrewsberry, and a rising Imes - shows up in Pittsburgh, they’ll be more than just a spoiler. They might just be a team no one wants to face down the stretch.