Second Half Comeback Nips Northwestern 71-66

Dayton hosted the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday evening, leveraging a second-half rally to win 71-66 in the return game of a two-game series started last year in Evanston, IL. Trailing 32-24 at the half, the Flyers took the lead on a Enoch Cheeks breakaway dunk with 7:22 remaining and made key plays down the stretch to complete the comeback and overcome a 32-point, 14-rebound performance from Wildcat forward Nick Martinelli. Dayton remains undefeated at 2-0 while the Cats drop to 1-1.
The Wildcats topped the Flyers 71-66 last year in a game that was decided in the last minute after Dayton trimmed the deficit to two points. The loss ultimately didn't matter because UD made the NCAA Tournament with an at-large invitation. This year's Flyer squad lacks an Obi Toppin or DaRon Holmes II to hitch their wagon to however, uncertainties that elevate the importance of finding success in the non-con schedule. Much was riding on Saturday's outcome as Dayton was once again without the services of center Isaac Jack while the Cats were still without All Big-10 Third Team forward Brooks Barnhizer (14.6ppg, 7.5 rpg). Clearly advantage Flyers, but it didn't feel that way in the first half as Martinelli scorched Dayton for 15pts and 8rbs from a variety of moves that were largely unstoppable. Down 27-14, UD trimmed the deficit to single digits by halftime and methodically clawed their way back in the second half on the heels of excellent defensive pressure and timely three-pointers to take t...