Javon Bennett led the Flyers with 18 second-half points. (Press Pros Feature Photos By Julie Wright-Daniel)
George Washington University figured it was on its way to a big win over the University of Dayton basketball team Tuesday in UD Arena. The scouting report says, “Stop Javon Bennett and you beat Dayton.” And Bennett was 0 for 11 in the first half and GW led by five points. But Bennett scored 18 second-half points and the Flyers scored a big Atlantic 10 Conference win, 79-72.
Dayton, OH. — If the general public was privy to the scouting reports coaches prepare before facing the University of Dayton basketball team, Page One would read, “Stop Javon Bennett and you beat Dayton.”
Hall of famer Hal McCoy writes UD Flyer basketball exclusively for Press Pros Magazine.com.
And that was George Washington University’s modus operandi Tuesday night in UD Arena. . .and it worked for a half.
Bennett was 0 for 11 and took the light load of two free throws made into the intermission locker room and the Flyers trailed by five points.
Precision Strip proudly sponsors the best in area sports and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Press Pros.
But as everybody knows, you can’t keep a good man from doing his duty and Bennett exploded for 18 points in the second half.
His 20 points led UD’s balanced budget — five players in double figures — as UD scored a 79-72 victory.
That scouting report also reads, in bold letters, “Do not foul UD and especially don’t foul Bennett.”
GW heeded not and the Flyers made 27 of 30 free throws, 9 for 10 by Bennett, who shoots 92% from the foul line.
Keonte Jones slams down two of his 15 points for the Flyers.
The Flyers led, 55-54, with seven minutes left and made 14 of 16 free throws from there. Bennett made 7 for 8 and tossed in a three-pointer for extra credit.
UD coach Anthony Grant professed no concern over Bennett shooting blanks in the first half.
“I don’t judge Javon on whether or not his shots are going in,” he said. “He is a great leader. He is a great competitor. We’re asking a lot of him in terms of the load he has to carry — running the team, being one of the key offensive threats for us, what he does defensively for us.
“That didn’t even factor into my thinking,” Grant added about Bennett’s first half. “We needed him to stay aggressive. He stayed aggressive, he stayed confident and led our team in hustle stats.”
For the second straight game, Bennett played 38 minutes and for the second straight game did not commit a turnover. He had a pair of assists and a pair of steals.
Minster Bank is a proud sponsor of the Ohio State Buckeyes on Press Pros Magazine.com.
George Washington was within 68-66 with 2:08 left, but the Flyers paraded to the foul line and made the shots resemble uncontested lay-ups — 9 for 10 to put it away.
“We’ve had success getting to the free throw line all year,” said Grant. “The guys stepped up tonight. Our guys have done a good job of that.”
Jordan Derkack has a knack for getting to the basket.
Still undermanned and undersized with the absence of 7-foot-1 Amaël L’Etang and 6-foot-8 Malcolm Thomas, the Flyers were pounded on the backboards. . .GW outboarded UD 35-24 and had 14 offensive rebounds.
The Flyers, though, made up for it with stick-to-it concentration, a strong-willed team approach — all for one and one for all — the Five Musketeers.
The scouting report on the Flyers also says to guard the basketball like a K-9 without a leash because UD will not only steal the ball, they’ll steal your class rings and your flashy sneakers without you knowing it.
The Flyers forced 22 turnovers that led to 31 points, including a couple down the stretch that led to baskets. UD outscored the Revolutionaries in the paint, 34-30, even though GW’s big men stood head and shoulders above the Flyers. And UD outscored GW on fast break points, 17-4.
Knapke Kitchens and Baths, in Versailles, proudly sponsors the best area sports stories on Press Pros Magazine.com.
With the win, UD’s record improved to 12-4 overall and 3-0 and in Atlantic 10 Conference. GW dropped to 11-5 and 2-1.
Grant called GW the best team the Flyers have played this year — better than Brigham Young and better than Virginia, teams that beat the Flyers.
Jaiun Simon led all rebounders with nine, six on the offensive boards and put up 12 points for the Flyers.
“I’ll put that team up against any team we’ve played all year and we’ve played some of the best teams in the country,” he said. “They’re a really good team.”
The scouting report on GW probably reads, “Stop Rafael Castro and you beat George Washington.”
Castro is a 6-foot-11 red-shirt senior that Grant called one of the best players in the country. He averages 16.6 points a game and scored the game’s first basket eight second into the game. But he got only four more shots the rest of the game and scored eight points.
Tre Dinkins came off the GW bench to score 24 and two other bench warmers heated up on the floor — Garrett Johnson with 14 and Tyrone Marshall with 11.
GW Coach Chris Caputo got 51 points from his bench.
UD got only 16, but 12 came from Jaiun Simon. Keonte Jones scored 15, Jordan Derkack scored 13 and De’Shayne Montgomery scored 12.
Allenbaugh Insurance, in Jackson Center, supports the UD Flyers on Press Pros Magazine.
Simon came off the bench when the Flyers were dragging in the first half and provided enthusiasm, showing emotion and exhorting the crowd to whoop it up.
And he led all rebounders with nine, six on the offensive boards. This from a third-year player who has never started a game but remains Captain Positive.
Javon Bennett tried a score-and-score shot, but missed.
“You never want to lose at home and you gotta play hard,” said Simon. “Give the fans what they want.”
Jones gave his assessment of Simon by saying, “Jaiun plays hard, man. When we had our two bigs, he played the right way. But tonight he stepped up in a big way. . .as in boxing out, rebounding and being aggressive at the rim.
And Jaiun is no Simple Simon.
“Jaiun holds this team accountable for our lack of effort sometimes,” said Jones. “That’s something unseen from him and it goes a long way.”
About his demonstrative demeanor on the court, Simon said, “I just try to bring energy to the game, play hard and bring all the energy I can. Get everybody jumping.”
Simon holds a special place in Grant’s world, a player who could have used the transfer portal to get more playing time, but stuck with the Flyers.
“I’m really proud of the growth of Jaiun Simon,” he said. “Just over the course of three years, just his maturity, the way he’s grown, the work he has put in on his game, on his body.
“He is one of those guys who just keeps his head down and just works, whether we ask him to play three minutes or 30 minutes,” Grant added. “He is going to give you everything he has when he’s out there. His one goal is he wants to help his team and he wants to win.
“To see what he did tonight when our team needed it, that’s huge,” he said.
After playing and winning three games in seven days, the Flyers are off a week before playing at Duquesne next Tuesday.
Don’t be surprise if a 6-foot-6 kid from Mableton, Ga., wearing uniform No. 3, starts that game. His initials are J.S.
De’Shayne Montgomery drives towards the basket against a GW defender.
Logan Services, in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus, proudly sponsor the best in area sports coverage on Press Pros Magazine.com.