DAYTON, Ohio — In a thrilling double-overtime victory, Enoch Cheeks spearheaded Dayton’s efforts with a crucial 18-point performance, steering the Flyers to a 74-64 win over Richmond on Saturday. Cheeks’ impressive contribution extended beyond scoring, as he also pulled down 11 rebounds, further cementing his pivotal role in the victory for Dayton (20-9, 10-6 Atlantic 10 Conference).
Nate Santos was equally impactful, matching Cheeks’ scoring feat with 18 points. Santos displayed efficiency on the court, making 6 out of 12 shots, including 2 for 6 from three-point territory, and was near-perfect from the free-throw line, hitting 4 of 5. He added to his performance with eight rebounds. Malachi Smith also made a significant impact by contributing 14 points, shooting 5 for 11 and netting 3 out of 8 from beyond the arc.
Richmond’s Dusan Neskovic led the counterattack, topping the Spiders’ scoring chart with 17 points. Mike Walz provided a solid all-round performance for Richmond (10-20, 5-12) with 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two blocks, while Mikkel Tyne added 13 points and seven rebounds.
The contest was tightly contested, with Dayton trailing 26-24 at the half. By the end of regulation, the score was knotted at 48, leading to overtime. Santos kept the Flyers alive with a clutch layup that extended the game into a second overtime. In this crucial period, Dayton’s defense shined, preventing Richmond from making any baskets and securing the win.
Looking ahead, Dayton is set to face Saint Louis at home on Tuesday, while Richmond will prepare to host George Mason on Saturday.
