Freshman Pat Connaughton scored a career-best 24 points to help Notre Dame overpower visiting Sam Houston State 74-41 on Wednesday in a Progressive CBE Classic regional matchup.

The Fighting Irish (3-0) broke the game open by scoring 23 unanswered points over a 7:30 span to turn a one-point edge into a 38-14 cushion with 1:04 left before intermission. Connaughton scored 14 of his 17 first-half points during the blitz, including four 3-pointers.

Notre Dame shot 53 percent from the floor (27-for-51) and hit 10-of-19 shots from 3-point range. The Bearkats, meanwhile, were only 3-for-15 from long range and shot 34 percent (18-for-53) overall.

Jerian Grant added 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Fighting Irish, who have allowed only 94 points in their first two CBE Classic contests.

Marcus James had 16 points and eight rebounds for Sam Houston State (1-1).