Santos’ 17 Points Propel Dayton Past Rhode Island 85-77

KINGSTON, R.I. — In a compelling basketball matchup, Nate Santos delivered a stellar performance, scoring 17 points to lead Dayton to an 85-77 victory over Rhode Island on Wednesday night.
Santos found his rhythm on the court, connecting on 5 of 11 shots, including an impressive 5 for 8 from beyond the arc, to spearhead the Flyers’ (19-9, 9-6 Atlantic 10 Conference) offense. His efforts were supported by Enoch Cheeks, who contributed 15 points, making 4 of 9 field goals and converting 6 of 7 from the free-throw line. Cheeks also played a significant role in defense with eight rebounds and four steals. Malachi Smith added to the team’s success with 15 points, effectively shooting 4 of 7 from the field and a perfect 7 for 7 from the charity stripe.
On the opposing side, the Rams (17-10, 6-9) put up a strong fight led by Jaden House, who scored a team-high 16 points and secured two steals. Teammate David Fuchs added a commendable performance with 14 points and 11 rebounds. David Green contributed with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and showcased his defensive prowess with two blocks.
This game highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams, with Dayton securing a crucial conference win.