Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Kyle McAlarney had a game-high 30 points to lead Notre Dame past No. 18 Villanova, 90-80, in Big East play at the Wachovia Center.

Luke Harangody posted 25 points and 10 rebounds while Rob Kurz added 12 points for the Fighting Irish (14-4, 4-2 Big East), who had dropped two of three coming into the game.

Antonio Pena had 17 points and nine rebounds while Corey Fisher and Scottie Reynolds each donated 13 points for the Wildcats (13-5, 3-4), who have dropped their last two games.

Trailing early, Notre Dame ripped off 10 straight points and held a 10-4 lead on a jumper from Kurz a bit over four minutes in.

The Wildcats kept it close for the next couple of minutes and tied the game, 15-15, on a layup by Dante Cunningham with 12:32 left in the half.

The Irish, though, scored the next seven points and Tory Jackson's layup with 9:11 left in the first half gave the team a 24-15 lead.

Villanova got back into the game and kept the score close, but Notre Dame scored six of the last seven points of the first half and took a 39-29 lead into the locker room.

The Irish kept their 10-point lead in the early parts of the second half, but a three-pointer from McAlarney followed by a three from Ryan Ayers gave the team a 57-41 lead with 12:33 to play.

Reggie Redding put in a layup with 9:27 to play to again make it a 10-point game with Notre Dame holding a 59-49 lead.

That was as close as the game got, though, as the Irish went on a 9-2 run and led by as many as 17 points to hold on for the win.