One night after a win that had the national media buzzing about Northwestern, the Wildcats again failed to close out a tight game and let a potential NCAA tournament resume-building win slip through their fingers.

Notre Dame finished with a 12-2 run to nip the Wildcats 70-66 in the final of the Legends Classic in Brooklyn.

The Wildcats’ painful loss came one day after Northwestern posted what many were calling a signature 19-point win over No. 22 Texas and six days after another heartbreaking setback to Butler.

Winning games like those against quality non-conference opponents are important to the NCAA selection committee come March. Northwestern came out of this three-game stretch with a single win and two near misses that could come back to haunt them.

Scottie Lindsey scored 18 points to lead Northwestern (3-2), while Vic Law added 14.

Notre Dame (5-0) was led by Matt Farrell and Steve Vasturia, who both tallied 18.

Here are our three pointers on a loss that was as difficult as last night’s was emphatic.

Northwestern couldn’t close it out – again: Northwestern held a 60-54 edge after Bryant McIntosh hit a 3-pointer with 6:18 left. But from that point on, the Wildcats shot 1-for-9 from the floor and turned the ball over three times as the game got away from them. Still, that one make, a McIntosh jumper with 41 seconds left, gave the Wildcats a 66-65 lead, and with 20 seconds remaining they had the lead and the ball on an inbound play. That’s when things unraveled. Nate Taphorn’s throw-in sailed over everyone’s head and Vasturia stole it. Moments later Taphorn, who had a strong overall game, was whistled for a block on a Farrell drive to the basket. Farrell converted at the free-throw line to complete the three-point play and give the Irish a 68-66 lead. Northwestern had one last chance to hit a clincher, but McIntosh was forced into a tough shot over two defenders that rimmed out. Farrell corralled the rebound, was fouled and hit two free throws to close out the victory. Northwestern also put the ball in McIntosh’s hands at the end of the Butler game and he turned it over, so it was another missed opportunity for a game-winner for NU’s leader.

The Wildcats couldn’t quite put it all together: In Northwestern’s win over Texas, Law was in foul trouble and only contributed nine points, but the Wildcats still managed to post an easy win. Tonight Law and Lindsey combined for 32 points, but it was McIntosh who had an off night and the Wildcats couldn’t overcome it. The junior point guard hit only one of his first 11 shots and finished 3-for-18 shooting – although his last two baskets were Northwestern’s last two of the game. McIntosh led NU with four assists, but he scored just 7 points. Lindsey was the scoring star on this night, shooting 6-for-8 from the floor, including 3-for-3 from beyond the arc as the Wildcats shot an impressive 54.5 percent on 3s for the game. Lindsey looks to be the Wildcats’ most improved player through this early stretch of the season and is aggressively looking for his shot. The Wildcats will need to get all three of their big guns – Law, Lindsey and McIntosh – going at the same time to win games like these, as well as Big Ten contests. Add some points from the injured Aaron Falzon to the mix and they will be a dangerous team.

The role players came through big-time: Taphorn’s last few minutes may have been a nightmare, but the senior played a dreamy game for the Wildcats, coming off the bench to drain a career-high four 3-pointers on his way to 12 points. Taphorn was 4-for-5 from distance and also added five rebounds. Northwestern’s bench as a whole played a vital role, outscoring Notre Dame’s 19-8. Jordan Ash played significant minutes for the first time this season and finished with three points, three rebounds and an assist, while Isiah Brown tallied four points and pulled down two boards. Dererk Pardon was a stalwart in the middle, blocking a career-high six shots, the fifth-most in a game in Northwestern history. The sophomore center also contributed a team-high seven rebounds and even dished out three assists.