(Photo of Cole Certa courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics)

Michiana native Markus Burton scored 24 points and Cole Certa added 22 as the Irish men’s basketball team opened the season with an 89-67 win over Long Island Monday night at Purcell Pavilion.

Certa was on fire with the deep ball, making six of nine 3-point attempts. As a team, the Irish were electric from beyond the arc, making 14-27 for nearly 52%. Ryder Frost made 4-5 trifectas to finish with 15 points. Burton had two 3’s.

Big man transfer Carson Towt was brought in for his rebounding dominance and he lived up to the billing, snagging 19 boards on the night.

Micah Shrewsberry emphasized defense in the offseason and Notre Dame held LIU to just 38% shooting, including just 21% in the 1st half as Notre Dame led 40-25 at halftime.

The Irish got 52 of its 89 points off the bench. While Burton scored 24, the rest of Notre Dame’s starters (Jalen Harrison, Braedon Shrewsberry, Towt and Garrett Sundra) combined for just 13 points. Harrison, a heralded 5-star freshman, was just 2-7 shooting.

Notre Dame turned the ball over 19 times in the game.

The Irish are back at home Friday when they host Detroit Mercy.