Dayton Flyers Upset Saint Louis in Atlantic 10 Tournament Semifinals
In a stunning turn of events during the Atlantic 10 tournament semifinals, the No. 4 seed Dayton Flyers delivered a shocking 70-69 upset against regular-season champion Saint Louis, marking yet another early exit for a No. 1 seed during this NCAA basketball postseason. The encounter, held on Saturday, March 14, in Pittsburgh, showcased the heights of March Madness drama as the Flyers demonstrated their late-game resilience and tenacity.
Thrilling Final Moments
As the game unfolded, the tension escalated sharply in the final moments. With Dayton trailing by a point at 66-65, Jacob Conner hit a crucial three-pointer with just 14 seconds remaining, briefly giving the Flyers a 68-66 lead. However, Saint Louis quickly countered with a clutch three from Robbie Avila, a celebrated player for the Billikens, regaining a slim 69-68 advantage with only 6.6 seconds on the clock.
Last-Ditch Effort
With the clock winding down and victory slipping from their grasp, Dayton wasn’t finished yet. Guard Jordan Derkack received the inbound pass and raced down the court, facing two defenders. In a moment of chaos, he stumbled and released a high-arcing reverse layup that missed the hoop entirely. However, in a stroke of fate, the ball found the hands of Amaël L’Etang, who managed to tip it in just before the final buzzer sounded, igniting wild celebrations among the Flyers’ supporters. One exhilarated teammate even left the bench to celebrate on the floor.
Intense Competition
Before the final shot, the contest had seen five lead changes within a riveting last three minutes, emphasizing the intense competition and unpredictability typical of March Madness. Despite a desperate attempt at a shot by Saint Louis before time expired, they failed to score, cementing Dayton’s victory and a spot in the championship game.
Looking Ahead
This win adds to Dayton’s impressive run, as they have now won eight out of their last nine games, after starting the season with a record of 15-9. To reach the NCAA Tournament, they must now secure victory against the winner of the other semifinal matchup between No. 2 seed VCU and No. 3 seed Saint Joseph’s.
