Dayton Falls to Illinois State in Overtime
The Flyers opened the 2026-27 season at home with a 91-87 overtime loss to Illinois State on Thursday night.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Basketball
The University of Dayton women's basketball team lost 91-87 in overtime to Illinois State in its 2026-27 home opener on Thursday, November 5. Dayton tied the game at 78-78 in regulation with a layup and a three-pointer in the final minute, but Illinois State made its shots and free throws down the stretch in overtime.
Why it matters
The loss drops Dayton to 0-1 to open the season, while Illinois State moves to 1-0 after reaching the WNIT Championship game last season. The result sets an early tone for a team that is adding several new players to its rotation.
Ibrahim's 23 points and 18 rebounds were both career bests, and Dayton recorded 8 steals and 22 points off turnovers in the defeat. Sophie Swanson played 37:56 in her Dayton debut and Milee Smith played 34:36 in her collegiate debut.
The players
Fatima Ibrahim
Dayton forward who posted a career-high 23 points and 18 rebounds in the season opener.
Olivia Leung
Dayton guard who tied her career high with 21 points in the loss to Illinois State.
The details
Dayton trailed late, then tied the game at 78-78 in regulation on a layup and a three-pointer in the final minute before Illinois State pulled away in overtime with clutch shooting and free throws. The Flyers' new players saw heavy minutes in the opener.
Timeline
Thursday, November 5, 2026: Dayton loses 91-87 in overtime to Illinois State.
Monday, November 9, 2026, 7 p.m.: Dayton hosts Penn State at UD Arena.
Season Trajectory
Illinois State enters the 2026-27 season after reaching the WNIT Championship game last year, giving it a stronger early footing than Dayton, which opened 0-1. A 91-87 overtime setback this early does not decide the season, but it leaves Dayton needing to build momentum quickly in a season defined by new faces.
Dayton's 0-1 start means every early game carries extra weight in the standings and for the rotation as new players settle in. The Penn State home game on November 9 is the team's next chance to answer the overtime loss.
The takeaway
Close finishes like this one often come down to late shooting and free throws, which is where Dayton can gain ground with its next home game against Penn State.
What happens next
Dayton hosts Penn State at UD Arena on Monday, November 9 at 7 p.m. in its next game.
Further reading
For more on the program's season, see Dayton Basketball coverage.
