Brady Koehler scored key baskets down the stretch and Notre Dame made a late comeback after trailing for most of the second half to beat Villanova 74-72 in the college basketball season opener in Rome. Villanova standout Tyler Perkins fouled out with 16.3 seconds to go. He led the Wildcats with 18 points. The event dubbed the Eternal City Tip-Off included an audience with Villanova alumnus Pope Leo XIV for both teams and their fans on Saturday. Both teams are unranked in the preseason AP Top 25. Koehler and Braeden Smith led Notre Dame with 16 points each.