Notre Dame Sweeps Villanova in Rome Basketball Doubleheader

Notre Dame swept Villanova in a Rome basketball doubleheader on November 1, winning the men’s game after a late comeback before the women secured a 99-75 victory. The event opened the college basketball season for the two Catholic universities and was held alongside a Vatican audience with Pope Leo XIV. The men’s final score was reported differently: three accounts said Notre Dame won 74-72, while another gave the score as 74-70. The reports agreed that the Fighting Irish rallied from a double-digit second-half deficit to take the game. Logan Duncomb made a go-ahead 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining, and Brady Koehler helped protect the lead, including with a late block and free throws. Koehler and Braeden Smith each scored 16 points for Notre Dame, according to one game account. Tyler Perkins led Villanova with 18 points. Villanova’s men had led by four at halftime and extended their advantage to double digits in the second half before Notre Dame mounted its comeback. In the women’s game, No. 13 Notre Dame beat Villanova 99-75 to complete the sweep. Hannah Hidalgo led the Irish with 32 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals. Notre Dame coach Niele...