Dayton Flyers Soar into A-10 Championship with Nail-Biting Win Over Saint Louis
In a thrilling semifinal clash at Pittsburgh's PPG Paints Arena, the No. 4 seed Dayton Flyers edged out the No. 1 seed Saint Louis Billikens with a heart-stopping 70-69 victory. This win propels Dayton into their first Atlantic 10 Conference championship game in three years.
The Game-Winning Moment
The game reached its climax when Amaël L’Etang tipped in a missed shot by Jordan Derkack with just 0.6 seconds left on the clock. This dramatic finish was set up by a series of clutch plays from both squads.
Jacob Conner nailed a crucial 3-pointer for Dayton with 11 seconds remaining, only for Saint Louis’ Robbie Avila to respond with a 3 of his own, giving the Billikens a brief 69-68 lead with 6.6 seconds to go. But it was L’Etang’s timely tip-in that sealed the Flyers’ victory.
What’s at Stake
This victory marks a significant milestone for Dayton (23-10), as they overcame a higher-seeded team in the A-10 tournament for the first time since 2011. That year also saw their last triumph over a No. 1 seed. The Flyers, who last won the championship in 2003, have now advanced to the title game for the fourth time, having previously fallen short in 2011, 2015, and 2023.
Star Performance
Jordan Derkack delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 28 points. His shooting was on point, hitting 6 of 12 from the field and a season-best 4 of 7 from beyond the arc.
Derkack was also a force at the free-throw line, converting 12 of 15 attempts. His efforts were crucial, especially considering his 15-point contribution in the quarterfinal victory against St.
Bonaventure.
Stat Sheet Highlights
Dayton capitalized on turnovers, forcing 18 from Saint Louis while committing only eight themselves. This advantage translated into a 19-9 edge in points off turnovers, a critical factor in their win.
The Comeback Trail
Trailing 49-38 with just under 15 minutes to play, the Flyers mounted an impressive comeback. Derkack’s 3-pointer at the 8:09 mark gave Dayton a lead, which they extended to five points before Saint Louis responded with a 9-0 run. The Flyers kept their composure, tying the game with another 3 from Derkack at 2:40, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
Looking Ahead
Dayton now sets their sights on the championship game, where they will face either No. 2 seed Virginia Commonwealth or No. 6 seed Saint Joseph’s. The showdown is set for 1 p.m. Sunday, with CBS broadcasting the action.
Halftime Recap
Dayton fought back from an early 15-4 deficit to take a brief lead but went into halftime trailing 36-33. Key contributions in the first half came from Derkack, who scored 12 points, and De’Shayne Montgomery, who added 10. Saint Louis was efficient, shooting 57% from the field, while Dayton managed 41%.
As the Flyers prepare for the championship game, they carry the momentum of a resilient victory, ready to chase their first title in over two decades.