The team fought valiantly without their best player for most of the game, but ultimately didn’t have enough firepower to hang with Dylan Harper and the Scarlet Knights

Dylan Harper dropped a career-high 36 points and Rutgers fended off Matt Allocco and Notre Dame 85-84 in overtime to conclude a wild first day of the Players Era Festival on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

Notre Dame headed into the half shooting a mere 39% from the floor, but shot 41% from behind the arc which helped them head into half time with a one point lead 35-34. They also out rebounded Rutgers in the first half 24-13 resulting in 11 second chance points. However, the Irish only scored 8 points in the paint compared to Rutgers' 14.

Harper shot 12-of-22 from the field and did most of his damage going to the rim, which is exactly what Rutgers needs from him and very difficult for most defenses to stop. Notre Dame nearly stole it at the end of overtime thanks former Princeton star Matt Allocco,