With second place in the Atlantic 10 conference on the line, two players from the Columbus area were major thorns in the sides of the University of Dayton Flyers, leading Loyola of Chicago to a 77-72 win in Chicago, dropping UD to third place in the A-10 at 12-4. JaVon Bennett (pictured) sat out the second half with a hand injury.
The University of Dayton Flyers scored the first five points of the second half to take an 11-point lead on road at George Mason, only to see the Patriots explode on a 24-2 run that gave them an 11-point lead. The Flyers, though didn't pack their gear and cry in their duffel bags. They went on an 11-point run of their own to tie it, but fell victim down the stretch and fell, 71-67, knocking them down to third place in the Atlantic 10.
It seems as if every team that comes to UD Arena to play the University of Dayton Flyers, they bring their 'A' team and force UD to stave off upsets. Such was the case Saturday afternoon when a forlorn Fordham team put the Flyers to a tough test before UD prevailed, 7-70, their 13th straight win this season in the Arena and 21st win this season.
As the University of Dayton Flyers prepare to meet Forlorn Fordham Saturday afternoon, all is good in their world. The 16th-ranked Flyers are back in first place. . .well, tied for first in the Atlantic 10. And it is not Richmond or VCU. They are tied at 10-2 with a sleeper team nobody is paying much attention to. . .Loyola of Chicago.