March 1, 2008

Box Score |  Quotes

BRONX, N.Y.- Senior Brian Roberts scored 12 and junior Charles Little and sophomore Kurt Huelsman added 11 apiece to help the Dayton Flyers pick up a 57-50 road win over the Fordham Rams.

Sophomore Marcus Johnson was just shy of a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds as UD improved to 18-9 overall and 6-8 in the Atlantic 10.

The key for the Flyers snapping a two-game losing skid was controlling the boards. Dayton held a 37-27 edge on the glass thanks to the efforts of Johnson's nine, Little with seven and senior Andres Sandoval adding five.

Roberts was held seven points below his season average after shooting 4-of-14 from the field and 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. But the Flyers' picked up the slack thanks to improved free throw shooting knocking down 15-of-20 attempts.

The Flyers led 30-23 at halftime with Huelsman leading the way with eight points and two steals. Although Dayton shot just 40 percent from the floor, UD held a 19-14 advantage on the glass and shot 9-of-12 from the free throw line.

Fordham opened up the second half on a 10-2 run to cut the UD lead to one just four minutes in to the second half. With both teams trading baskets, the Rams had a chance to take their first lead in the second half trailing 37-36. Sandoval, however, forced a player control foul spurring a 4-0 run thanks to a jumper by senior Jimmy Binnie and a dunk by Little.

Fordham would rally once again and cut the UD lead to 44-41 before Johnson picked up a three-point play to extend the lead back to six.

After the Rams' Bryant Dunston converted a four-foot jumper to cut the deficit to 49-45, Sandoval stepped up on the ensuing Fordham possession and drew his second charge of the game with two minutes remaining. Huelsman followed with an offensive rebound and coverted on a putback, keeping the Flyers ahead 51-46.

Sandoval then extended the lead back to six converting his first basket of the night with just over a minute to play. He added a fast break dunk to seal the victory and help the Flyers snap a five-game road losing streak.

Binnie finished the game with nine points and two rebounds while Little shot 5-of-10 from the floor and recorded three offensive rebounds.

UD's defense held the Rams to 41 percent shooting from the floor, but more importantly allowed only three fast break points.

Dayton continues its two-game road swing on Wednesday, March 5 against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies beginning at 7 p.m.