Mike Brey has lost his father and his mother in the last year, both before Irish games. (USATSI)

For the second time in his career as Notre Dame's coach, Mike Brey discussed the death of a parent in the postgame press conference after a Fighting Irish win.

In March, it was the death of Betty, Brey's mother, just before a second-round game against Butler in the NCAA tournament. In that instance, Brey was encouraged to coach the game anyway, though he did not tell his players or the media until after the game. 

On Monday, the team honored Brey's father, Paul, before the game. According to the school, Brey's father passed away on Saturday night and junior forward V.J. Beachem said later the team has been working to lift him up ever since. 

"We have just been trying to uplift him and be there for him, and play as hard as we could today," Beachem told UND.com after the game. "We couldn't let him down. We had to come out and be ready to play no matter who it was."

"My dad was in bad shape, and it's really a blessing," Brey said after the game, via ESPN.com. "In my mind, I picture him and Mom at Christmas together, and I'm going to spend some good time with my brother and sister on Christmas evening, and we'll tell some really great stories."

In the game, Notre Dame bounced back from its loss to Indiana with a 87-78 against Youngstown State. Demetrius Jackson, Zach Auguste and V.J. Beachem combined for 49 of the team's 87 as the Irish were able to score in bunches despite shooting just 25 percent (6-of-24) from the three-point line.