Flyers put down the Dukes

Led by five players in double figures, the University of Dayton men’s basketball team defeated the Duquesne Dukes 72-56 in front of 12,438 fans Saturday at UD Arena.

 

Dayton was led by Josh Benson’s 17 points and eight rebounds. Dyshawn Pierre joined Benson in double digits by tallying 13 points, five rebounds and six assists. Jalen Robinson narrowly missed a double-double as he contributed 10 points and nine rebounds. Vee Sanford and Kevin Dillard each added 10 points.  Dillard added seven assists and Devin Oliver grabbed 10 rebounds for the ninth time this season.

 

Dillard and Sanford also came through at the defensive end.  With defensive standout Khari Price limited to just four minutes played with a thigh bruise, the Flyer starting guards held both of Duquesne’s top scorers – Sean Johnson and Derrick Colter – more than 10 points under their average.  The Dukes duo each came into the game scoring just over 13 points a game, but were held to two points each.

 

In the first half, the Flyers were down 20-13 before going on a 17-2 run and grabbing the lead for good. Dayton entered the locker room at halftime with a six-point cushion, leading the Dukes 30-24.

 

Keeping the momentum after the break, UD went on another run, this time outscoring the Dukes 14-4.

 

Dayton also out-rebounded the Dukes 42-31 and got 17 points off second chance opportunities.  In addition to Oliver’s 10 and Benson’s eight, Robinson’s nine rebounds (for the second straight game) came in just 16 minutes of play off the bench.

 

Dayton shot 45.3% (24-53) from the floor and 76.0% (19-25) from the line.  Benson made seven of his eight shots from the field, while Robinson connected on six of seven free throws.  The Dayton defense held Duquesne to a 33.3% (19-57) field goal percentage.  Dillard and Sanford held their counterparts down to a combined 1-for-17 shooting.

 

The Flyers have won their last two Atlantic 10 games. Their record now stands at 12-7 (2-3 in the A-10).  Duquesne falls to 7-13 and 0-6. 

 

Dayton continues A-10 play Wednesday night when the Flyers travel down I-75 to take on rival Xavier at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati.  Game time for the nationally-televised CBS Sports Network game is 9 p.m. ET.