Enoch Cheeks played a pivotal role in Saturday’s thrilling matchup, scoring 26 points as Dayton edged out Loyola Chicago with a nail-biting 83-81 victory in overtime.

The Flyers improved their record to 12-6 overall and 2-3 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Cheeks not only led his team in scoring but also contributed seven rebounds and five steals. His performance was complemented by Malachi Smith, who added 15 points along with eight assists, the last of which facilitated the decisive layup made by Amael L’Etang with just one second remaining in overtime. Javon Bennett also scored 15 points, while L’Etang finished the game with a total of 11 points.

On the other side, the Ramblers saw Sheldon Edwards and Jayden Dawson each finish with 19 points. Edwards further supported his team by securing six rebounds, while Des Watson chipped in 18 points and delivered four assists.

In the first half, Cheeks set the pace for Dayton, leading them to a 33-26 advantage at the break. The contest intensified in the closing moments, with Edwards delivering a crucial layup just 13 seconds before the end of regulation, which allowed the game to go into overtime with a score tied at 68 points.

Overall, it was a hard-fought game that kept spectators on the edge of their seats right up to the final second.