Dayton Flyers v. #2 Uconn Huskies | 11/27/2024 | Maui Invitational

Game Recap: Dayton Tops No. 2 UConn in Maui Invitational Finale 🏀🌺
In a surprising turn of events, Dayton Flyers outplayed No. 2 UConn Huskies in an 85-67 victory during the seventh-place game at the Maui Invitational on Wednesday night. The Huskies, who had a tough tournament, suffered their third consecutive loss in Lahaina, while the Flyers secured an impressive team win.

Key Performances:

Alex Karaban led UConn with 21 points, including four 3-pointers, scoring 15 in the first half. Unfortunately, Karaban suffered a head injury late in the game, requiring evaluation for a concussion before being cleared to travel with the team.
Dayton showcased a balanced attack with Enoch Cheeks scoring 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting, Nate Santos adding 18 points, Posh Alexander contributing 16 points, and Zed Key tallying 15 points and 9 rebounds.
Game Highlights:
The Huskies held a slim 30-27 lead late in the first half after a Karaban three-pointer, but Dayton closed with a decisive 15-4 run to take a 41-34 halftime lead. The Flyers dominated the boards, finishing with a +16 rebounding margin and a 32-17 advantage on the defensive glass. UConn briefly cut the deficit to three points midway through the second half, but a critical 3-point play by Alexander sparked Dayton to pull away for good.

Key Stats:

Dayton shot an impressive 27-for-30 (90%) from the free-throw line and 47% from 3-point range (8-for-17).
UConn struggled offensively, with Liam McNeeley going scoreless on 0-for-9 shooting, a sharp contrast to his career-best 20 points the day before.
Takeaways:

UConn: The Huskies leave Maui with tough lessons after three losses to unranked teams. Their offense showed flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency throughout the tournament.
Dayton: The Flyers displayed excellent teamwork and efficiency, with four players scoring in double figures and a dominant performance on the boards.
What’s Next?

UConn (4-3) looks to bounce back at home against Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday.
Dayton (6-2) returns to action on Tuesday, hosting Western Michigan.
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