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.

When Rutgers and Notre Dame get together, 40 minutes in regulation is just not enough. It’s been two years since the Irish outlasted Rutgers in a high-scoring, overtime battle in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament.

Dylan Harper scored a career-high 36 points and Rutgers held off Notre Dame for an 85-84 overtime victory in the Players Era Festival.

Dylan Harper delivered a career-best performance, scoring 36 points to lead Rutgers to a thrilling 85-84 overtime victory against Notre Dame on Tuesday night at the Players Era Festival 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

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.

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.

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