The Dayton Flyers’ (25-8) postseason run came to a disappointing end on Saturday night, falling 78-68 to the second-seeded Arizona Wildcats (27-8) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The game, played at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, showcased a valiant effort from Dayton but ultimately wasn’t enough to overcome Arizona’s size and athleticism.
Dayton Battles Back, But Falls Short
Despite trailing by double digits at halftime, the Flyers displayed resilience throughout the second half. Led by junior forward DaRon Holmes II, who notched a game-high 23 points and 11 rebounds, Dayton clawed their way back into the game. At one point, they even cut the deficit to just a single point with ten minutes remaining.
However, key turnovers down the stretch proved costly for Dayton. Arizona capitalized on these mistakes, building a comfortable lead in the closing minutes and securing their spot in the Sweet Sixteen.
Holmes Shines for the Flyers
While the loss stings, Dayton can take solace in the performance of DaRon Holmes II. He was a force to be reckoned with all night, showcasing his scoring prowess and rebounding ability. Koby Brea (14 points), Kobe Elvis (13 points), and Enoch Cheeks (10 points) also chipped in offensively for the Flyers.
Arizona’s Balanced Attack Overwhelms Dayton
Arizona, on the other hand, benefited from a balanced scoring attack. No Wildcats player reached the 20-point mark, but five players scored in double figures. Senior guard Caleb Love led the Wildcats with 19 points, while Pelle Larsson (16 points), Azuolas Tubelis (13 points), Oumar Ballo (12 points), and Kerr Kriisa (10 points) all contributed significantly.
Looking Ahead
The loss marks the end of a another successful season for Dayton. Head coach Anthony Grant will aim to build on this momentum in the offseason, with a talented core of players potentially returning, including Holmes, Brea, and Elvis.
For Arizona, the win propels them into the Sweet Sixteen, where they’ll face a tough matchup against either Clemson or Baylor.
