Villanova Basketball Falls to Notre Dame in Eternal City Tip-Off

Villanova basketball opened its 2026-27 season with a tight 74-70 loss against Notre Dame. The matchup took place in Rome as part of the Eternal City Tip-Off, where the Fighting Irish managed a surprising late-game comeback.

Eternal City Tip-Off Action

For the majority of the contest, Villanova controlled the pace with Tyler Perkins and Jake Fiegen driving the offense. The Wildcats held a lead at halftime, powered in part by bench contributions from players like Adam Oumiddoch. However, persistent ball-security issues hindered the squad, as the team accumulated 20 turnovers by the final whistle.

Late Comeback by Notre Dame

Notre Dame capitalized on Villanova's mistakes in the closing minutes of regulation. Trailing late in the second half, the Fighting Irish took their first lead since the early stages of the game following a crucial 3-pointer from Logan Duncomb. Four starters for Notre Dame ultimately finished scoring in double digits to secure the victory.

Series History and Program Background

Prior to this meeting, the two historic programs had faced each other 36 times, with Villanova holding a narrow 19-17 advantage in the all-time series. Both universities share deep ties, including connections to Pope Leo XIV, who graduated from Villanova in 1977.

Sources: NCAA.com, CNN, CBS Sports.