Dayton Flyers

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DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton women’s basketball team pulled out a hard-fought 81-78 Atlantic 10 victory against Richmond in overtime, making crucial free throws in the final minutes at UD Arena.

With five seconds left in regulation, senior Justine Raterman sank two free throws to tie the game at 71 and force an overtime period. Six of Dayton’s 10 overtime points were converted free throws as UD pulled away with its first overtime victory of the season, 81-78, and first victory of the season decided by five points or less.

The win brings the Flyers’ record to 13-5 and 5-1 in the A-10, while the Spiders fall to 15-5 and 3-3 in conference play. Dayton improves to 12-0 when leading at halftime after entering the break with a 45-36 advantage. Four Flyers scored in double figures, two of whom registered double-doubles.

Raterman led the Flyers in scoring with 19 points to become Dayton’s fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,643 career points. The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award top-10 finalist added 12 rebounds and shot 100 percent (8-of-8) from the free throw line.

Senior Casey Nance sparked the Flyers early by scoring the first eight points in the first four minutes of the game. Nance finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, adding two blocks.

Senior Elle Queen tallied 12 points and had two blocks – one of which denied Richmond’s last shot with five seconds remaining in overtime to ensure Dayton’s win. Sophomore Cassie Sant contributed 14 points with three boards.

Senior Patrice Lalor dished out seven assists to move into a tie for third-place on Dayton’s career assists list with 450

The next game for the Flyers is at George Washington on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Written by Athletics Communication student assistant Lauren Jabir - Class of 2013.