Feb. 17, 2008

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DAYTON, Ohio - A season-high 2,325 fans filed into UD Arena for "Think Pink" Sunday, and were treated to a big win over Rhode Island, 63-50. With the victory, The University of Dayton women's basketball team extended its modern era school record of wins in a season improving to 21-5 and 7-3 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. With the loss, the Rhode Island Rams fell to 11-13 overall and 4-5 in the league.

With the UD win and Charlotte's loss to Xavier on Sunday the Flyers are in the mix for a first round bye in the Atlantic 10 tournament. Dayton sits in the fourth slot one game behind George Washington, Temple and Xavier who are locked in a three-way tie for first place.

The Flyers were led by Nikki Oakland who recorded her eighth double-double of the season. Oakland had a total of 15 points and 11 rebounds in the game, moving her to 917 career points just 12 shy from the 19th spot in UD history for total points.

Coming off a 13 point performance against conference foe Xavier, freshman standout Kristin Daugherty had 19 points and nine rebounds. Daugherty also hit her first four shots of the game from beyond the arc. With her performance today, Daugherty has climbed the charts to seventh all-time in freshman scoring with 272 points.

Rhode Island's Amanda McGrew led the Rams with 17 points and two rebounds. Junior Sierra Cooper totaled 10 points and four boards as well for URI.

Safi Mojidi, the Rams leading scorer with 13.7 points per game this season, finished with just two points and one rebound in the game.

The Flyers out-rebounded Rhode Island 47-42; however the real story was Dayton's effort at the free-throw line. During Rhody's foul troubles the Flyers shot 74-percent knocking down 26-of-35 free throws compared to Rhode Island's 35-percent on 6-of-17 shooting from the charity stripe.

Daugherty started the game red hot for the Flyers, hitting four straight three-pointers to give UD the early 12-3 advantage. Rhody's shooting percentage from field goal range and turnovers kept Dayton surging early.

The Flyers continued to press the lead off a Rams turnover. Oakland fed the ball to Brittany Holterman for a fast break layup and a 15-3 advantage.

With 16:17 left in the first half, Oakland spun and dropped a jumper to give UD the 17-3 lead.

Rhody answered back with a jumper by McGrew and free throw by Sierra Cooper 17-6. Moments later McGrew hit a three-pointer accounting for eight of Rhode Islands nine points in the game.

The Rams picked up the pace offensively as the game progressed, going on a 6-1 run and slicing the Flyers lead to 29-16. Daugherty and Flyers answered back with field goal and pair of shots from the charity stripe giving the Flyers a 33-16 advantage with 6:17 left in the first half.

McGrew and company brought the heat once more with less than four minutes left in the half going on a 11-0 run and closing the gap on Dayton 37-29 with nearly two minutes left in the frame.

The Flyers stopped the bleeding late scoring the final three points giving them an 11 poin lead heading into the locker room, 40-29.

In the second half, Rhode Island found itself in foul trouble early with five team fouls in the first three and a half minutes of action, including McGrew who drew her third foul of the game with 18:54 left on the clock.

Dayton capitalized on the early foul trouble, extending the lead to 49-35 behind seven straight free throws with 14:39 left in the game.

URI answered back with a shot from beyond the arc by Megan Shoniker bringing the Rams back within 11 points; however their early foul trouble would get the best of them with the Flyers knocking down 16 of their game total 26 free throws in the second half.

The Flyers are back in action at home on Wednesday against Richmond for Girl and Boy Scout night. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET. The action can be followed with Gametracker, live audio (1610 AM), video streaming at www.DaytonFlyers.com.