Flyers back in win column, beat Fordham

The University of Dayton men’s basketball team defeated the Fordham Rams 96-51 in front of 12,131 fans Wednesday night at UD Arena. This was the largest margin of victory in a conference game for the Flyers since they joined the Atlantic 10 in 1995-96.  The previous largest spread was an 88-44 defeat of Duquesne on Jan. 12, 2002.

 

Dayton was led by Kevin Dillard’s 22 points and eight assists. Joining Dillard in double digits for the Flyers were Vee Sanford (19 points, six assists) and Matt Derenbecker (11 points).   Devin Oliver and Jalen Robinson each finished with nine points.

 

Dayton’s ability to take care of the ball and hot shooting were key in tonight’s action. The Flyers ended with eight turnovers (after coughing it up 60 times in the first three conference losses).  UD also went 15-of-21 (71.4 percent) from beyond the arc and shot 35-of-61 (57.4 percent) overall.

 

The Flyers also passed the ball well, accumulating a season-high 24 total assists.   They also had 23 fast break points to Fordham’s seven.

 

The Flyers came out hot in the first half. Overall they shot 65.5 percent (19-29) from the field and 63.6 percent from three (7-11). Their 51 points are the most in a half this season by the Flyers.

 

The Flyer bench was strong in the first half outscoring the Fordham bench 20-5.

 

Dayton’s defense held the Rams to just 30.8 percent (8-26) from the field and 2-9 from three point range.

 

Things started out even as both teams came out shooting until a three by Sanford put the Flyers up for good 8-5. After Fordham pulled to within 10, 26-16, Derenbecker hit a three off a kick out from a driving Sanford. This ignited a 13-1 spanning from the 10:38 mark until 7:07 left in the first half.

 

Dayton ended the half with a three from Derenbecker and a Alex Gavrilovic free throw making the halftime score 52-23.