DAYTON, Ohio (Interstat) — Liberty held off Dayton 64-61 in a defensive-minded men’s basketball game Saturday at University of Dayton Arena. The Flames, who led 29-33 at halftime, used a 12-2 second-half run to seize control. Dayton’s Amael L’Etang led all scorers with 19 points, but Liberty’s balanced effort, including 16 points from Kaden Metheny and 15 from Brett Decker, secured the road win. The Flames (8-3) forced 10 turnovers and held the Flyers (9-3) to 37.7% shooting. Dayton missed a chance to tie in the final minute. Attendance was 13,407.

DAYTON, Ohio (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by critical stops and a single decisive basket in the final seconds, the Liberty Flames edged the Dayton Flyers 64-61 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday afternoon at a sold-out University of Dayton Arena. A crowd of 13,407 watched as Liberty’s Kaden Metheny converted a driving layup with 12 seconds remaining to break a 61-61 tie, capping a second-half comeback and handing Dayton a rare home loss. The Flames, who trailed by as many as eight points in the first half and were down four at halftime, locked down defensively over the final two minutes to secure the road victory. The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the tense final half-minute. With the score knotted, Liberty worked the clock before JJ Harper found Metheny cutting along the baseline. Metheny’s contested finish at the rim gave Liberty the lead. Dayton’s ensuing possession, needing a three to tie, resulted in a heavily contested miss by Jacob Conner from beyond the arc as time expired. The game was a stark contrast in styles and efficiency. Liberty won despite attempting only nine free throws, making four, and being dominated on the offensive glass, where Dayton held a 9-3 advantage. The Flames’ victory was built on superior ball security and shot-making. Liberty committed only six turnovers, leading to 10 points, while forcing 10 Dayton turnovers. The Flames also dominated inside, outscoring Dayton 36-20 in the paint, and shot a efficient 44.4% from three-point range. Zach Cleveland, a 6-foot-7 forward from Bloomington, Illinois, was the central figure for Liberty, contributing across the board with 12 points, seven assists, three blocks and a game-high 11 defensive rebounds in 37 minutes. His playmaking and interior defense anchored the Flames, especially during a second half where Dayton’s offense sputtered. Dayton was led by 7-foot-1 center Amael L’Etang of Toulouse, France, who scored a game-high 19 points, including three three-pointers. Guard Javon Bennett of Orlando, Florida, added 17 points. However, the Flyers’ offense often stagnated, managing only three total assists as a team and shooting just 37.7% from the field. Their 9-of-27 performance from three-point range was not enough to overcome their struggles inside the arc. Liberty improved to 8-3 with the win, securing a significant road victory against a high-major opponent following a 40-point loss at North Carolina State in its previous outing. Dayton, which had been a heavy pregame favorite and entered with a 79.8% probability to win according to National Statistical’s ELO system, fell to 9-3. The combined score of 125 fell well under the pregame over/under line of 143.5, underscoring the defensive nature of the contest. The Flames closed the game on a 7-0 run over the final 2:45 after Dayton’s Keonte Jones had given the Flyers a 61-57 lead. A three-pointer from Colin Porter, who had 13 points, brought Liberty within one before Cleveland’s jumper in the lane tied the game, setting the stage for Metheny’s winner. Liberty next plays at Florida International on Dec. 28. Dayton opens Atlantic 10 Conference play at home against Fordham on Dec. 31.

Preview: Liberty Flames at Dayton Flyers DAYTON, Ohio (Interstat) — The Dayton Flyers, riding high after a dominant win over a power-conference opponent, will look to continue their strong start when they host the Liberty Flames in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at University of Dayton Arena. Dayton (9-2) enters on a two-game winning streak, most recently dismantling Florida State 97-69 on Tuesday. The Flyers’ offense has been potent, averaging 88.5 points in their last two victories. Guard Javon Bennett has been a catalyst, erupting for 25 points against the Seminoles. Over his last five games, Bennett is averaging 15 points and has scored in double figures four times. Liberty (7-3) also comes off a lopsided victory, having defeated Midway 95-57 on Tuesday. However, the Flames have struggled against high-major competition this season, falling by 40 points at North Carolina State on Dec. 10. Guard Brett Decker leads Liberty, averaging 16.8 points over his last six contests. He scored 20 points in a win over Coppin State on Dec. 6 and 23 points in a victory at Vermont. The game presents a contrast in recent challenges. While Dayton was handling Florida State, Liberty’s most recent road test resulted in the blowout loss to the Wolfpack. The Flames’ other two losses came in close games against Bradley and Towson during a multi-team event in November. Dayton’s two losses this season have come on the road against Virginia and Cincinnati, both by 13 points. The Flyers have protected their home court, going 6-0 at UD Arena, where they have won by an average margin of 24.2 points. This contest serves as a final nonconference tune-up for both teams before league play begins. Liberty will open Conference USA action in January, while Dayton will embark on Atlantic 10 play. The matchup at the guard position between Bennett and Decker will be pivotal. Dayton will rely on its home-court advantage and balanced scoring, which against Florida State included 20 points from De’Shayne Montgomery and 11 from Keonte Jones. Liberty will need Decker and backcourt mates Kaden Metheny and Colin Porter, who combined for 36 points and 13 assists against Midway, to navigate a hostile environment and Dayton’s pressure. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.