February 17, 2021 11:38 pm
Rhode Island snapped its four-game losing streak by rallying from an 18-point, second-half deficit, outlasting Dayton 91-89 in a double-overtime battle Tuesday night.
Trailing 58-40 with 9:44 to go, Rhode Island (10-12, 7-8 Atlantic 10) ended regulation on a 29-11 run, taking its first lead of the second half when Makhel Mitchell scored a second-chance basket with 1:33 remaining. Dayton’s Jordy Tshimanga made 1-of-2 free throws with six seconds remaining to second the game to overtime.
In the first extra session, the Flyers (11-7, 7-6 A-10) went up by four points on a Crutcher layup that made the score 76-72. Back-to-back layups from Fatts Russell and Jeremy Sheppard tied the game for the Rams, and Mitchell put Rhody up one with a free throw. Dayton’s Zimi Nwokeji scored on an offensive putback, giving the Flyers a 78-77 lead with 19 seconds to go. Mitchell was fouled with 10 seconds to go, and had to leave the game with an injury on the play. Malik Martin made 1-of-2 stepping to the line, again tying the game and forcing a second overtime.