With only three days to recover from the emotional high and physical exertion of beating No. 6 Marquette Saturday, the University of Dayton basketball team faced a bounce back dilemma Tuesday and avoided an upset defeat when Malachi Smith converted a three-point play with eight seconds left to beat UNLV, 66-65.

UD's Enoch Cheeks (above) pins the shot attempt of Marquette's Chase Ross during the Flyers' second half comeback Saturday against #6-ranked Golden Eagles. The Flyers overcame a ten-point halftime deficit to win 71-63. Read Hal McCoy in Sunday Press Pros.

After a stellar showing in the Maui Invitational that included a win over No. 2-ranked UConn, the University of Dayton Flyers hosted a mediocre Western Michigan team Tuesday night in UD Arena as 24-point favorites, but had to come from 10 points down early in the second half to score a lethargic and lackadaisical, 77-69 victory.

After losing two tight games to nationally-ranked North Carolina and Iowa State, the University of Dayton basketball team made a resounding statement Wednesday night in the Maui Invitational by outclassing and embarrassing No. 2 ranked UConn, 85-67, to claim seventh place in a game that resembled the championship game in the NCAA Final Four. ESPN named Enoch Cheeks player of the UD-UConn game. (pictured)