Recap: Notre Dame vs. Villanova

South Bend, IN (Sports Network) - The Notre Dame Fighting Irish put an end to the hot streak for the Wildcats of Villanova with a, 65-60, win at the Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center in a Big East Conference clash.

Jack Cooley put together a very solid double-double for the Irish (17-4, 5-3 Big East) with 17 points and 16 rebounds as Notre Dame won its second in a row and third in four tries. Cameron Biedscheid lit it up from 3-point range, going 5-of-7 to score 18 points while Tom Knight added 10 points. Jerian Grant also had a double-double but with 12 points and 10 assists while also recording four steals.

Mouphtaou Yarou led all scorers with 20 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks for Villanova (13-8, 4-4), which was coming off two consecutive wins over top five teams in the nation (Louisville and Syracuse). Darrun Hilliard contributed 14 points and JayVaughn Pinkston added 11 off the bench.

The Wildcats led 31-29 at halftime after the Irish shot just 3-of-12 from beyond the arc in the first half.

In the second half Notre Dame was much more efficient from deep, shooting 6- of-9, and outscored Villanova 36-29. After trailing by as many as eight points with four minutes remaining, the Wildcats had a chance to tie the game after Hilliard hit a 3-pointer with 25 seconds left and then got the ball back after an Eric Atkins turnover on the Irish's baseline. Hilliard chucked up an off- balance 3-point attempt with 15 seconds on the clock but it was no good and Notre Dame was able to hold off for the win after Cooley grabbed the defensive board.

The Fighting Irish came into this game as number one in the Big East and third in the nation in assists per game, with 18.2, and continued that excellence as they assisted 20 of their 24 makes from the floor.