Notre Dame Defeats Villanova 74-72 in Rome

Notre Dame defeated Villanova 74-72 on Sunday in Rome, marking the opening game for both men’s basketball teams this season. The Fighting Irish overcame a second-half deficit to win the nonconference matchup between the two Catholic universities.

The game was part of the Eternal City Tip-Off, a doubleheader event held at the Palazzo dello Sport. The 11,000-seat arena is located roughly a 30-minute drive from the Vatican. Villanova fans outnumbered Notre Dame supporters in the crowd. On Saturday, prior to the games, both teams and their fans attended an audience with Villanova alumnus Pope Leo XIV.

Villanova led for most of the second half, but Notre Dame mounted a late comeback. Brady Koehler and Braeden Smith led the Fighting Irish with 16 points each. Koehler executed a dunk with 1:36 remaining to narrow the gap to one point. Logan Duncomb then hit a 3-pointer with 1:08 left on the clock, giving Notre Dame its first lead of the second half, 70-68. Koehler followed with two free throws with four seconds left, extending the Irish lead to 74-70 to secure the victory.

Villanova’s Tyler Perkins led the Wildcats with 18 points. He fouled out with 16.3 seconds remaining. Luigi Suigo, a 7-foot-3 Italian making his debut for Villanova, scored seven points. The arena announcer called out his name as “Su-su-su Suigo” when he scored. Suigo also hit a 3-pointer and recorded two dunks.

Both teams entered the game unranked in the preseason AP Top 25. Notre Dame is fielding a roster that includes 10 new players. Villanova seeks a revival after four seasons without an NCAA Tournament victory. The Wildcats missed the tournament for three years following the retirement of Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright. Last season, they lost in the first round to Utah State.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Notre Dame women’s basketball defeated Villanova 99-75. Hannah Hidalgo, playing for the No. 13 Fighting Irish, recorded 32 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and three steals.

Notre Dame will play its home opener against Mercyhurst on Thursday. Villanova faces Holy Cross in its home opener on Friday. The Wildcats will then meet La Salle four days later.