Villanova Stunned in Eternal City Tip-Off; Fouls and Turnovers Contribute to Blown Lead

ROME— Villanova Men’s Basketball hall blew a 10-point second half lead in their season-opening loss to Notre Dame, falling 74-72 in the Eternal City Tip-Off in Rome, Italy.

Tyler Perkins (18 points) fouled out with 16.1 seconds to play, giving the Wildcats (0-1) one last chance to tie the game after Notre Dame’ Braeden Shrewsberry missed the first shot of his one-and-one. Point guard Elijah Crawford’s attempt at a game-tying step back jumper clanged off the rim, and a pair of Irish free throws sealed Villanova’s fate.

Turnovers and fouls plagued the Wildcats throughout. They gave the ball away 15 times in the first half alone and, although Notre Dame made just 35.4 percent of their shots from the field on the day (23-of-65), nine second half fouls turned into 14 Irish points. Villanova’s freshmen put up a mixed performance. Adam Oumiddoch drained the first three shots of his career as part of a 9-0 run that put the Wildcats in front, while Italian center Luigi Suigo committed three first half turnovers and was the nearest defender on a pair of kick-out threes.

Tyler Perkins opened the second half with a trio of three-point shots, and an alley-oop dunk from Suigo established a double-digit lead soon thereafter. Suigo and Shrewsberry traded threes midway through the frame, and Perkins’ fourth triple of the day put the Wildcats in front 60-50 with 10:24 to play. Their next make from the field came nearly six minutes later, Notre Dame chipping relentlessly away at the lead despite a late scoring push from Crawford.

Up next, Villanova will host Holy Cross at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6.