Sports · Basketball · 3 hrs ago
Notre Dame rallies past Villanova in Rome season opener
Notre Dame rallied to beat Villanova in the college basketball season opener in Rome on Sunday.
Brady Koehler scored 16 points, including a late dunk and two free throws, while Logan Duncomb’s three-pointer gave Notre Dame its first second-half lead.
Accounts give different final scores: one says Notre Dame won 74–70, while another says 74–72.
Villanova’s Tyler Perkins led his team with 18 points but fouled out with 16.3 seconds left.
The win gives Notre Dame a strong start; the team has 10 new players this season.
Villanova is seeking a return to NCAA Tournament success after four years without a tournament win.
Notre Dame next hosts Mercyhurst, while Villanova plays Holy Cross and La Salle.
Notre Dame rallied late to beat Villanova in the college basketball season opener in Rome on Sunday.
The reports disagree on the final score: Fox Sports says 74–72, while ESPN says 74–70.
Brady Koehler and Braeden Smith each scored 16 points for Notre Dame, and Tyler Perkins led Villanova with 18.
Logan Duncomb’s 3-pointer with 1:08 remaining gave Notre Dame its first lead of the second half.
The Eternal City Tip-Off included an audience with Pope Leo XIV for both teams and their fans on Saturday.
- Who
- Notre Dame and Villanova.
- What
- Notre Dame rallied to beat Villanova in a college basketball game. The reports give different final scores: 74–72 and 74–70.
- When
- Sunday, November 1, 2026.
- Where
- Palazzo dello Sport in Rome.
- Why
- The game was the college basketball season opener for both teams.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Both teams and their fans had an audience with Pope Leo XIV.
Notre Dame rallied after trailing for most of the second half and beat Villanova in the season opener in Rome.
Brady Koehler’s dunk cut Villanova’s lead to one point.
Logan Duncomb’s 3-pointer gave Notre Dame its first lead of the second half, 70–68.
Koehler made two free throws to put Notre Dame ahead 74–70.
- Venue
- Palazzo dello Sport, Rome
- Notre Dame leading scorers
- Brady Koehler and Braeden Smith, 16 points each
- Villanova leading scorer
- Tyler Perkins, 18 points
- Late lead change
- Logan Duncomb’s 3-pointer made it 70–68 with 1:08 remaining
- Reported final score
- Fox Sports: 74–72; ESPN: 74–70
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