Notre Dame edges Villanova 74-72 in Rome opener

Notre Dame defeated Villanova 74-72 on Sunday at the Palazzo dello Sport in Rome. The result gave the Fighting Irish the opening win of the college basketball season in the Eternal City. The game served as the men's contest for the Eternal City Tip-Off, a doubleheader created to honor the first American pope.

The Irish trailed for most of the second half before a late surge. Brady Koehler and Braeden Smith each scored 16 points for Notre Dame, which is bringing in 10 new players this season. Both teams remain unranked in the preseason AP Top 25.

Villanova received strong support from traveling fans, but the Wildcats could not hold the lead. Tyler Perkins led the team with 18 points. He fouled out with 16.3 seconds remaining, leaving his team short-handed in the final moments.

Pope Leo XIV, who was born Robert Prevost in Chicago, attended the events surrounding the game. He was not on the court during the match but had received all four teams in a Vatican audience on Saturday. The audience drew 7,000 people, including players, coaches, and family members.

During the Saturday audience, the pope told the athletes that he remained neutral in matters of sport. He then added that his former self might disagree. "Prevost has another opinion, but we won't do that now," he said to laughter from the crowd.

Many Villanova supporters wore jerseys featuring the name "Pope Leo" and the number "XIV." Fans also displayed a banner depicting the pope reaching out to Villanova president the Rev. Peter M. Donohue. The image mirrored a scene from Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel fresco.

Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry noted that the team played two road games in the preseason, which prepared them for the loud crowd. "I’ve been a part of some really cool things and this is right at the top of the list of experiences," Shrewsberry said.

Villanova coach Kevin Willard described the experience as once-in-a-lifetime despite the loss. The games were played on All Saints' Day, a major Catholic holiday. Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, a former papal candidate, was also present at the arena.