The Dayton Flyers (12-2, 2-0 A-10) narrowly defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen (10-4, 1-1 A-10) 64-60 on Sunday afternoon. The Flyers extend their lead in the series history to 20-14 over the Minutemen.
The game started with Dayton getting an early lead, and UMass struggled to shoot the ball. Dayton gained huge momentum in the first half off of a DaRon Holmes II poster over Matt Cross during which Holmes II was fouled as the dunk went in. Cross chipped a tooth during that play from the contact he received from Holmes II. The Flyers saw Kobe Elvis go down with what appeared to be a knee injury within the first two minutes of the game. Elvis ended up playing five minutes, all of which came within the first ten minutes of the game. The Flyers were able to get out to a fourteen-point lead by the midway point of the game, and it looked like the game was gonna be a blowout until the Minutemen found ways to hold the Flyers scoreless throughout the game. UMass went into halftime only down by nine points and found ways to score in the second half that would get the Minutemen to almost gain the lead.
UMass was not able to get the lead, unfortunately, but probably could have if more than three three-pointers went in for the Minutemen, and if they also made their free throws. Josh Cohen made a crucial three-pointer that got the Minutemen within two points with just over three minutes left in regulation. Cohen attempted another three-pointer shortly after getting UMass within two points that could have given the Minutemen their first lead, but unfortunately, it went into the hoop but rimmed out. UMass attempted almost twenty more shots than Dayton did, with the help of Cross and Cohen for rebounding on the offensive glass. The Flyers were able to hold onto the game for the win with the help of Javon Bennett and Isaac Jack making key free throws in the final minute of the game to seal the deal.
The Flyers had two players score in double digits. Holmes II had 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists to lead the way for Dayton. Enoch Cheeks had 11 points to round out scoring in double digits for the Flyers. Nate Santos and Zimi Nwokeji both had 9 points, Koby Brea had 6 points, Jack had 5 points, Bennett had 4 points, and Elvis had 2 points to round all scorers for the Flyers.
The Minutemen had two players in double-digit scoring on Sunday afternoon. Cross led the Minutemen with 18 points and 14 rebounds earning himself another double-double this season. Cohen had 15 points and 9 rebounds, only one rebound off from earning his second double-double on the season. Rahsool Diggins had 8 points, Daniel Hankins-Sanford and Jaylen Curry each had 6 points apiece, Jayden Ndjigue had 5 points, and Marqui Worthy had 2 points to round out scoring for the Minutemen.
Dayton travels out to UMPC Fieldhouse to face off against the Duquesne Dukes (9-5, 0-2) on Friday, January 12th at 7pm on ESPN2 for the first FridA10 matchup of conference play. This will be the 87th meeting between the two teams and the Flyers lead the all-time series history 61-25 over the Dukes.
UMass returns home to the Mullins Center to face off against the La Salle Explorers (10-5, 1-1) on Wednesday, January 10th at 7pm on the NBC Sports App. This will be the 51st meeting between these two teams, and the Minutemen have a 29-21 lead over the Explorers in the all-time series history.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Scoreboard:
- Saturday, January 6th
- The La Salle Explorers (10-5, 1-1) defeated the Fordham Rams (7-8, 1-1) 81-76.
- The George Mason Patriots (13-2, 2-0) defeated the Saint Louis Billikens (7-8, 0-2) 79-67.
- The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (10-5, 2-0) defeated the Duquesne Dukes (9-5, 0-2) 72-67.
- The Richmond Spiders (9-5, 1-0) defeated the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (10-4, 1-1) 65-54.
- The George Washington Revolutionaries (12-3, 1-1) narrowly defeated the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (8-7, 0-2) 84-82.
- Sunday, January 7th
- The Dayton Flyers (12-2, 2-0) narrowly defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen 64-60.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Upcoming Schedule:
- Tuesday, January 9th
- Rhode Island Rams (7-7, 1-0) at Davidson Wildcats (10-4, 0-1) at 7pm.
- Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (8-7, 0-2) at George Mason Patriots (13-2, 2-0) at 7pm.
- Richmond Spiders (9-5, 1-0) at Loyola Chicago Ramblers (10-5, 2-0) at 8pm.
- Wednesday, January 10th
- La Salle Explorers (10-5, 1-1) at Massachusetts Minutemen (10-4, 1-1) at 7pm on NBC Sports App.
- Saint Joseph’s Hawks (10-4, 0-1) at Saint Louis Billikens (7-8, 0-2) at 7pm on CBSSN.
Featured Image: Sam Allard, UMass Athletics
Kaily “KG” Godek is a current student at Western New England University (WNE). She has been a supporter of UMass Athletics for over 15 years. Kaily focuses on both UMass Basketball teams and occasionally on the other Women’s Basketball teams in the conference. While writing for A10 Talk, she works in the athletic department at WNE. When she graduates from WNE she wants to go into Sports Broadcasting and Journalism. You can follow Kaily on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kgumass23.
