By 2nd Ezra | Sweet Science Sports
The 2026–27 college basketball season opened with a dramatic finish in Rome, Italy, as Notre Dame rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit to defeat Villanova 74–72 in the Eternal City Tip-Off.
The Fighting Irish struggled offensively for much of the afternoon, shooting just 35.4% from the field compared with Villanova's 46.2%.
But basketball games aren't always decided by which team shoots the highest percentage.
Sometimes it's about who takes advantage of the opportunities available.
And Notre Dame did exactly that.
Villanova Controlled the Game but Couldn't Protect the Basketball
Villanova carried a 35–31 advantage into halftime and extended its lead to 10 points early in the second half.
Tyler Perkins provided much of the offensive spark, finishing with a game-high 18 points, including five three-pointers.
Jake Fiegen contributed 11 points, and Elijah Crawford added 12.
The Wildcats appeared to have control of the game, but their inability to protect the basketball kept Notre Dame within striking distance.
Villanova committed 20 turnovers, allowing Notre Dame to generate 20 points off those mistakes.
The Fighting Irish also recorded 14 steals, consistently disrupting Villanova's offensive rhythm.
Despite its shooting struggles, Notre Dame refused to let the game get away.
Notre Dame Delivers When It Matters
Trailing 66–60 late in the second half, Notre Dame began its comeback.
Braeden Smith converted three critical free throws, and Ethan Roberts followed with a basket that brought the Irish within one.
After Villanova extended its advantage to 68–65, Brady Koehler delivered a powerful dunk with 1:36 remaining.
Then came the biggest shot of the afternoon.
Following a Smith steal, Logan Duncomb connected on a three-pointer with 1:08 remaining, giving Notre Dame a 70–68 lead.
It was Duncomb's first career three-pointer and Notre Dame's first lead of the second half.
Koehler added two crucial free throws in the closing seconds to help secure the victory.
Notre Dame had completed the comeback.
S³ Game Leaders
Notre Dame
- Brady Koehler: 16 points, 8 rebounds
- Braeden Smith: 16 points, 4 steals, 10-for-11 free throws
- Braeden Shrewsberry: 15 points, 6 rebounds
- Ethan Roberts: 11 points
- Logan Duncomb: 9 points, 4 assists
Villanova
- Tyler Perkins: 18 points
- Elijah Crawford: 12 points
- Jake Fiegen: 11 points
The Numbers Tell the Story
| Statistic | Notre Dame | Villanova |
|---|---|---|
| Field goal percentage | 35.4% | 46.2% |
| Three-point shooting | 9–24 | 11–31 |
| Free throws | 19–25 | 13–18 |
| Total rebounds | 37 | 37 |
| Steals | 14 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 20 |
| Points off turnovers | 20 | 10 |
Villanova was the more efficient shooting team, but Notre Dame created additional opportunities through defensive pressure and offensive rebounding.
The Irish attempted 13 more field goals and seven more free throws.
Those extra opportunities helped compensate for their poor shooting percentage.
S³ Final Assessment
Notre Dame deserves credit for its resilience and defensive execution, but Villanova will look back at this game as a missed opportunity.
You cannot expect to consistently win basketball games while committing 20 turnovers, particularly against an opponent struggling to make shots.
The Wildcats were the better shooting team. They controlled significant portions of the game and built a double-digit advantage.
But Notre Dame was the better team when the game was on the line.
For the Fighting Irish, this victory represents an encouraging beginning to the season. Their defense kept them competitive when their offense wasn't producing.
For Villanova, ball security must become an immediate priority.
S³ Verdict: Notre Dame didn't win because it shot the basketball better. It won because it created more opportunities and executed when the game was on the line.
Sweet Science Sports (S³)
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