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Dayton forward Josh Cunningham will miss three months with ankle injury

Syracuse v Dayton

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 18: Head coach Archie Miller of the Dayton Flyers looks on from the sideline in the second half against the Syracuse Orange during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 18, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Dayton announced on Saturday that forward Josh Cunningham will be out approximately three months after undergoing surgery Friday to repair a torn ligament in his left ankle.

The redshirt sophomore finished an emphatic dunk to help the Flyers beat Alabama on the road but he was fouled on the play and landed awkwardly on his left leg. Although Cunningham didn’t need any surgery for his knee, the ankle and lower leg area needed repair and that injury should put the forward out until at least February.

It’s hard to say what happens with Cunningham’s 2016-17 season, since he’s out for such a large chunk of time. If he were to return at the three-month mark, Dayton would still have some regular season games, the Atlantic 10 tournament and the postseason for Cunningham to come back for. With an experienced roster that desperately needs Cunningham’s size and athleticism inside, the Flyers could look to have Cunningham return for the stretch run.

This is Cunningham’s first season playing for Dayton after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. The former top-100 prospect from Chicago spent his freshman year at Bradley before opting to transfer.

Cunningham was averaging 12.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in the first two games of the season and he was also 10-for-12 from the field. Hopefully he can get healthy and give Dayton a more complete roster heading into the postseason.