The Players Era Festival in Las Vegas was always going to be a tough challenge for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish were slated to face Rutgers and Houston, with a third game against an opponent to be determined after Wednesday's matchups.

Rutgers held off Notre Dame for an 85-84 overtime victory after an Allocco 3-point attempt from deep rimmed out at the buzzer.

The freshman guard out of Don Bosco Prep put up 36 points, six assists and six rebounds while committing just one turnover to lead the Scarlet Knights past Notre Dame 85-84 in overtime as the eight-team Players Era Festival in Las Vegas got underway.

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.

Rutgers guard Dylan Harper (2) shoots against Notre Dame guards Logan Imes, left, and Matt Allocco (41) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule) AP

In a game that featured 12 ties and 17 lead changes, Irish power forward Paul Atkinson’s rebound basket with 1.2 seconds left gave Notre Dame an 89-87 victory and sent the Irish on to face Alabama in the first round in San Diego. Atkinson scored a game-high 26 points with six rebounds.

Get the latest Rutgers vs. Notre Dame predictions ahead of Tuesday's clash. Free college basketball picks and predictions for November 26.

The Notre Dame men's basketball team will remember its first game of the Players Era Festival for a lot of reasons. Unfortunately, it won't be for a victory it lost an 85-84 overtime thriller to Rutgers in Las Vegas.

Notre Dame men's basketball and Rutgers renewed their Big East rivalry in the first round of the new Players Era Festival tournament in Las Vegas