Final Score: St. John's 71, (7) Notre Dame 65

New York, NY (Sports Network) - D.J. Kennedy connected for 20 points and 10 rebounds as St. John's toppled seventh-ranked Notre Dame, 71-65, at Madison Square Garden.

Justin Burrell added 18 points for the Red Storm (10-4, 1-1 Big East), who posted their first conference win and snapped a three-game losing skid. Paris Horne added 14 points and Rob Thomas had 10 points in a reserve role.

"I thought it was a terrific basketball game," said Red Storm head coach Norm Roberts. "I thought our guys played really hard; I thought they played really tough. Notre Dame is one of the best teams in the country. They have two great, great players in (Kyle) McAlarney and (Luke) Harangody and I thought our guys withstood their push at us and made big plays. All our guys stepped up. It was a great team win."

Luke Harangody posted game-highs with 28 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out late for the Fighting Irish (10-3, 1-1), who saw their four-game win streak disappear. Tory Jackson picked up 14 points and Kyle McAlarney added 10 points, hitting on only 1-of-5 tries from three-point range.

"They were very aware of hugging our shooters and we had to work so hard to get looks," Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. "Luke Harangody's a warrior and he kept us in it and we made a couple of plays down the end to stay in it, but give them credit."

Burrell set the stage for the shocking victory, hitting both from the line with 39.3 to play and a 67-62 SJU advantage.

Following a timeout, Ryan Ayers missed two threes in succession and Burrell was fouled again. He missed the front end of a one-and-one, then Jackson drained a trey with 17.4 left and a 67-65 game.

Kennedy made two more free throws with 15.1 remaining, then Jackson airballed a three from the top of the key. Kennedy calmly sank two more from the line after being fouled on the rebound, and Luke Zeller missed a desperation shot at the buzzer.

"I was just trying to stay focused," Kennedy said of his key role in the victory. "I worked on it during practice and came out a little early to work on free throws. It was just a mental thing; to stay focused and knock them down."

The Red Storm had a slim 35-34 edge at halftime, despite Harangody's game-high 12 points and Notre Dame's 51.7 percent shooting from the field.

Burrell sank a jumper with 11 1/2 minutes to play which gave St. John's a 52-50 lead. The edge stretched to eight before Notre Dame struck back with seven in a row to close within 60-59 on a bucket from Zach Hillesland with 6:34 to go.

A runner in the lane from Horne put SJU up 63-60 with 2:45 remaining, but Harangody rolled one off the glass with 2:25 left for a one-point contest.

Game Notes

Kennedy also led St. John's with four assists...Harangody lit up DePaul on Wednesday for 26 points and 16 boards in a Notre Dame victory...ND leads all- time series 18-15...The Irish connected on only 4-of-17 chances from three- point range, a season low.

01/03 21:10:06 ET