Helped in part by an unfortunate injury to one of his most valuable teammates, Tom Knight’s role on the Notre Dame men’s basketball team — and consequently his national television time — are on the rise.

In a late-night show on ESPN2 Wednesday night at No. 19 Gonzaga, Knight was 2-for-3 from the field, hauled down three rebounds, registered a team-leading two blocked shots, dished out an assist and had a steal.

Knight’s well-rounded 14 minutes were one bright spot in a 73-53 loss, the third in the last four games for the Fighting Irish after a 4-0 start.

The Dirigo High School graduate and former Maine Mr. Basketball scored his four points during an early second-half run that nudged Notre Dame within nine points, 43-34, after a flat first half.

Minutes and impact may continue to increase for Knight as a result of a season-ending injury to fellow New England product and team captain Tim Abromaitis. A fifth-year senior from Connecticut, Abromaitis suffered a torn ACL at practice the day after Thanksgiving.

Abromaitis also missed Notre Dame’s first four games due to suspension for an NCAA rules infraction. Knight overcame a preseason bout with pneumonia and has made steady contributions throughout.

Knight has appeared in six of Notre Dame’s eight games, averaging 3.5 points. His field goal percentage (55.6) ranks second on the team.

He matched his career best with seven points Nov. 16 in a 74-41 romp over Sam Houston State. He also produced two assists and two steals.

“Before (the seven points were) like at the end of the game, so it feels good to get in there and contribute to the team in the meaningful moments of the game,” Knight said at the post-game press conference.

“It’s good to see Tom Knight get in there,” Notre Dame coach Mike Brey added. “We’re going to need him to get a couple minutes and get into a flow.”

Knight is a junior academically but has sophomore eligibility after serving only as a practice player in 2009-10.

In his first taste of game action, Knight appeared in only 14 games and never played more than nine minutes for a Fighting Irish team that was upset by Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s been something to get used to,” Knight said of the increased role. “First year, I got redshirted. Last year, I’d only get a minute at the end of the game. I’ve been waiting for my opportunity and I’m trying to do the best I can to make the most of it.”

Notre Dame will host Maine on Thursday night.

Honor roll

This week’s regional who’s-who in college sports:

— Liz LeBlanc of Jay scored a career-high 17 points for the University of New England women’s basketball team Wednesday night in a 76-36 road rout of Wentworth. LeBlanc, a junior, was 5-for-8 from 3-point range.

— Kailey Bubier of Auburn (Hebron Academy) assisted Southern Maine’s second goal of the game in a 2-1 women’s hockey victory Friday night over Nichols. The win evened the Huskies’ record at 3-3.

— Lewiston’s Mark Anthoine scored the game-tying goal in the third period Friday night in Maine’s 6-4 hockey victory over Vermont. It was Anthoine’s third goal of the season. Spencer Abbott scored his 100th career point in the win for the Black Bears (5-6-2).

— Courtney Anderson of Greene (Leavitt) continues to emerge as a centerpiece of the Maine women’s basketball team in her rookie season. Anderson pulled down a career-high six rebounds and played all but four minutes Friday night in a 54-46 loss to George Washington at the Navy Classic.

— Sam Leclerc of Fayette (Winthrop) leads the Division II Bentley men’s basketball team in defensive rebounds with 36 and is third on the team in scoring with 12.9 points per game.

— Wentworth men’s basketball is 4-0 for the first time ever, buoyed by 21 points from Corey Therriault of Auburn (Edward Little) in a 58-54 win Wednesday over UNE. Eric Prue, also of Auburn, added eight points.

— Maine Maritime Academy junior men’s soccer player Ben Russell of Farmington (Mt. Blue) was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)/Capital One Academic All-America Division III Third Team. Russell is the school’s first academic All-American in three years. He sports a 3.95 grade point average and was the team’s leading scorer with six goals this past season.

— University of Maine football coach Jack Cosgrove was honored as New England Football Writers Division I FCS Coach of the Year. Cosgrove, in his 19th season, is Maine’s first recipient of the award since Tom Lichtenberg in 1989.

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