SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Freshmen Nate Laszewski, Mars graduate Robby Carmody and Dane Goodwin were among five Notre Dame players to score in double figures as the youthful Fighting Irish cruised by Illinois-Chicago 84-67 Tuesday night’s season opener.

The 6-foot-10 Laszewski led the way with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench.

Carmody — who became the first freshman to start an opener for Notre Dame since Torin Francis in 2002 — added 11 points in 14 minutes. Goodwin finished with 10 points.

Junior John Mooney and sophomore D.J. Harvey also scored 10 for the Irish.

Notre Dame built a 46-23 advantage by halftime and was up by a high of 76-40 with 8:48 to go before the Flames narrowed the gap by scoring 16 of the game’s final 18 points.

Marcus Ottey led UIC with 17 points. Tarkus Ferguson added 12.

The Irish drained 36 of 38 free throws to overcome their 22-of-62 effort from the field.

Notre Dame rolled despite its two returning starters, T.J. Gibbs and Rex Pflueger, combining for just 14 points and 3-of-18 field-goal shooting.