(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)By Dan Gelston, AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Zach Auguste scored 25 points, Jerian Grant added 17 and Notre Dame dodged a scare trying to erase its futile NCAA Tournament history with a 69-65 win over Northeastern on Thursday.
Northeastern (23-12) gave the Irish fits and threatened to keep Notre Dame's March malaise going. Scott Eatherton had 18 points and David Walker 15. It was Northeastern's first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 1991.
The Fighting Irish (30-5) will play the winner of Texas-Butler on Saturday.
The third-seeded Irish returned to the tournament after a one-year absence determined to build off their ACC Tournament title and make a deep run in March.
The Irish have traditionally struggled in the tournament under coach Mike Brey. They made only one Sweet 16 since 2001.
