MILWAUKEE (Interstat) — In a tense, overtime battle that saw 14 lead changes and neither team lead by more than seven points, the Dayton Flyers outlasted the Marquette Golden Eagles 77-71 on Wednesday night at a raucous Bradley Center.

A crowd of 14,369 watched as the two teams traded blows for 45 minutes before Dayton seized control in the extra period, holding Marquette to a single field goal while scoring nine unanswered points to close the game.

The victory improved Dayton’s record to 4-1, while Marquette fell to an even 3-3.

The game was a story of two halves and a decisive overtime. Dayton built a five-point lead by halftime, 39-34, behind an aggressive start from De’Shayne Montgomery. Marquette responded after the break, methodically chipping away and eventually forcing a 68-68 tie by the end of regulation, setting the stage for the five-minute overtime.

The extra period belonged entirely to the Flyers. Keonte Jones, a Madison, Wisconsin native, opened the scoring with a crucial 3-pointer, giving Dayton a lead it would not relinquish. Marquette’s offense, which had been so effective in the second half, went cold, managing only a single 3-pointer from Nigel James. The Golden Eagles committed two critical turnovers and missed several key shots down the stretch, while Dayton’s Javon Bennett iced the game with a pair of clutch free throws.

Montgomery was a dynamic force for Dayton, leading the team with 18 points in a team-high 41 minutes of action. His early scoring, including an alley-oop finish and a pair of 3-pointers, helped establish Dayton’s first-half momentum.

Bennett was equally vital, especially late in the game. The guard from Orlando, Florida, finished with a game-high 19 points, including four critical free throws in the final 36 seconds of overtime. He also dished out four assists, several of which set up Montgomery for easy baskets.

For Marquette, Nigel James shouldered the offensive load, finishing with 18 points and five assists. His driving layup with just over a minute left in the second half tied the game and ultimately forced overtime. Chase Ross added 15 points and three assists in a game-high 43 minutes, providing consistent scoring throughout the contest.

Dayton’s defense, particularly in the paint, was a key factor. The Flyers registered multiple blocks, with Jones swatting two shots, including a potential game-tying attempt in the final minute of overtime. Jordan Derkack contributed eight points, five assists and steady ball-handling for the Flyers.

Marquette’s Zaide Lowery chipped in 10 points, but the Golden Eagles were ultimately undone by their performance in the extra period and an inability to contain Dayton’s backcourt duo of Montgomery and Bennett when it mattered most.

The game defied pregame expectations, as Marquette had been installed as a 4.5-point favorite and statistical models gave the Golden Eagles a significant probability to win. The combined point total of 148 fell short of the over/under line of 151.5.

Dayton will look to build on the hard-fought road win when it returns home to face North Carolina Central on Saturday. Marquette, seeking to get back to a winning record, will also play at home Saturday against Central Michigan.