Pregame Notes:
- Davidson comes in pretty hot tonight. Winners of five in a row, including a 83-73 win over St. Bonaventure on Friday last week.
- Davidson made some major changes on defense, going to a zone defense, which is highly unusual for legendary Head Coach Bob McKillop. This has led to a much more effective defense primarly inside the arch.
- Davidson has off the charts numbers in a few catergories. They lead the nation in Assist to Turnover ratio (1.94) and Fewest Turnovers Per Game (9.2)
- Dayton leads the Atlantic 10 in FG Percentage (48.1%) and Rebounds Allowed per Game (32.2)
- Dayton easily leads the Atlantic 10 in average attendance (8,935 per game). The next highest team is VCU at 6,121/game.
- Josh Cunningham is coming off of a fantastic performance against URI. Cunningham had 32 Points (13-18 FG) and 12 Rebounds. It is no surprise he is leading the A10 in FG%.
1st Half Notes:
-Dayton opens the scoring with a pretty three ball in the corner from Darrell Davis
-Next time down court the Flyers work the ball down low to Josh Cunningham for an easy bucket.
-Davidson has worked the ball around in the first few possessions but cannot get anything to fall.
-Jordan Davis connects on a three for the Flyers and its a surprising 8-0 lead for Dayton.
First Media Timeout: Dayton 8, Davidson 0
-Trey Landers (Dayton) hits both free throws.
-Cunningham connects again down low.
-Davidson is ice cold, but finally hits a three pointer by Jon Axel Gudmundsson
-Gudmundsson with another triple!
-Kostas Antetokounpo has checked in for Dayton and yes his wingspan is massive!
Second Media Timeout: Dayton 12, Davidson 6
-Oskar Michelson (Davidson) from Helsinki, Finland - drills an open three
-Peyton Aldridge (Davidson) hits a runner in the lane and the Wildcats are on an 11-0 run.
-Finally an answer as Landers knifes thru the Davidson D for a driving layup.
-Will Magarity (Davidson) gets into the scoring with a nice turnaround jumper in the paint.
-Xeyrius Williams (Dayton) is in the game with an impact. Grabs a rebound and the ball ends up in his hands on the offensive end for a three ball.
-Peyton Aldridge with a beautiful pump fake to make the defender go airborne and connects on an NBA range three.
-Cunningham with another two down low, followed by a driving two by D. Davis.
Third Media Timeout: Dayton 21, Davidson 18.
-Williams with a tip in after a miss from John Crosby.
-Ugly airball miss from the top of the key by Jalen Crutcher (Dayton)
-Cunningham picks up the slack with another deuce.
Fourth Media Timeout: Dayton 25, Davidson 18
-Aldridge draws a shooting foul and connects on one of two.
-Athletic move to drive to the basket by Darrell Davis, drawing a foul. Makes both FTs.
-Cunningham makes a one handed offbalance bank shot, impressive.
-Aldridge answers with a three.
-Magarity connects on a two pointer.
-Sloppy finish to the half as neither team could get a final shot off.
Halftime: Dayton 31, Davidson 26.
2nd Half Notes
-Aldridge knocks down a 12 footer to start the second half scoring.
-Open three in the corner drained by Crutcher.
-Cunningham bulldogs' his way in for two.
-Crutcher connects on a driving layup and davidson calls timeout.
-Jordan Davis (Dayton) with a sneaky steal and breakway, but is fouled from behind. Cunningham draws another Davidson foul and heads to the line. Makes both.
-Aldridge answers with a baby hook in the lane.
-Magarity gets a tough offensive rebound and puts the ball in and draws a foul. Will have a FT coming after the break.
First Media Timeout: Dayton 39, Davidson 32
-Magarity completes the three point play.
-Gudmundsson is back at it with another three.
-Magarity with another bucket down low. Timeout Flyers.
-Landers drills a jumper from inside the arch.
-Crutcher draws a foul and makes both FTs.
Second Media Timeout: Dayton 43, Davidson 40.
-Steal and dunk by Landers, assisted by Darrell Davis.
-Open three drilled by Landers and he leaves his wrist hanging high in the air.
-Gudmundsson again for three. Wildcats love to shoot from deep, that is now 7-16 from three as a team.
-Crutcher hits a jumper and the crowd is really getting loud.
-Magarity quiets the crowd with a three.
Third Media Timeout: Dayton 52, Davidson 46.
-Landers launched a 40 foot three to beat the shot clock and hit it!! But it is now under review. The basket counts, wow what a shot!
-Aldridge wont go down without a fight. Connects on another jumper, he now has 17.
-Michelson picks up a foul and Josh Cunningham picks up a technical foul, not sure on the explanation. Davidson makes both FTs.
-Big-time three by Darrell Davis with a hand in his face.
-Rusty Reigel (Davidson) answers with a layup.
-Kellan Grady (Davidson) gets into the act and hits a jumper.
-Aldridge gets two great looks in the corner for three and makes the second one, wow. Flyers only lead by one.-Grady hits a stepback 17 footer, nothing but net and the Wildcats lead for the first time in a while.
-Darrell Davis makes the Davidson run stop with a nifty basket down low, but right back on the other end Aldridge answers. Timeout Dayton.
Fourth Media Timeout: Davidson 61, Dayton 60. 1:15 Left.
-Crutcher hits a huge three and the entire arena is on their feet. Under a minute left.
-Foul on Darrell Davis, but that is only 4 team fouls for Dayton. Multiple chances at the basket for Davidson, but nothing falls. Ball ends up out of bounds and the refs review and decide possession belongs to the Flyers. Crowd is loving it.
-Grady eventually fouls Landers and that puts Landers on the line for a big one and one: Makes them both. Clutch. Dayton leads by 4.
-Davidson misses twice from deep and this one looks about done. Dayton leading by 4 with 5.6 seconds left.
-Grady nails a three and its suddenly a one point game. 3.3 seconds remain. Grady then fouls Darrell Davis without anytime coming off the clock.
-Dayton discussing strategy on whether to miss on purpose or not. He does miss but not on purpose.
-Halfcourt heave by Grady hits all backboard and Dayton hangs on to win.
FINAL: Dayton 65, Davidson 64.