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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > March > 08 > Entry
UD Flyers crush Saint Joseph’s, 79-67
The Dayton Flyers secured the victory they wanted and needed on Saturday afternoon, sending the seniors out in style in the club’s final game of the 2007-08 regular season.
The Flyers rained nine “3s” on Saint Joseph’s and defeated the Hawks, 79-67, at UD Arena in a game played despite a blizzard that hammered the Miami Valley.
UD Arena officials said the turnstile reading was 5,477 spectators, but the lower arena —- which seats 7,000 —- was completely filled and fans spilled into the upper arena.
The triumph gave UD a 20-win season and the momentum of three straight victories heading into the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament, which starts on Wednesday in Atlantic City.
Five Flyers scored in double figures with Marcus Johnson leading the way with 17, Brian Roberts 15, Jimmy Binnie 12, Andres Sandoval 12 and Charles Little 11. Sandoval fouled out with 3:17 to go, and exited to a standing ovation. Roberts was pulled with 6.9 seconds to go and received a standing ovation, too.
The Flyers built a 17-point halftime lead and kept stiff-arming the Hawks’ comeback attempt in the second half. The Hawks clawed within seven points (50-43) with 10:20 to go, but Sandoval responded with five straight points —- a right-side trey and driving layup off a feed from Mickey Perry.
UD improved to 20-9 (8-8), while Saint Joseph’s fell to 18-11 (9-7).
UD exploded for seven 3-point field goals in the first half and roared to a 41-24 halftime lead with Roberts (12 points) and Binnie (11 points) leading the way.
The Hawks drew first blood on a right-side “3” by Darrin Govens, and the lead grew to 7-2 on a pair of baskets by Ahmad Nivins. But the Flyers battled back to tie it up at 8 on a Roberts’ trey at the first TV time-out.
Pat Calathes’ 3-pointer sent Saint Joseph’s ahead, 11-9, but Binnie scored five straight points on a driving layup straight down the lane and a 3-pointer to give UD a 14-11 advantage.
Fueled by a fired-up crowd, the Flyers kept building the lead. Roberts nailed two more treys, Charles Little elevated for a tip-dunk and Binnie drilled a 3 to push UD ahead 31-16 at 5:48.
Flyers seniors Andres Sandoval, Jimmy Binnie and Brian Roberts were honored in an emotional pre-game ceremony on Blackburn Court.
At halftime, UD’s 1968 NIT Championship team was honored as the trio of Don May, Dan Obravac and then-head coach Don Donoher received standing ovations.
UD entered the game with a 19-9 overall record and locked in an eighth place tie in the A-10 standings with Rhode Island and St. Louis at 7-8.
With five clubs separated by one game, Saturday’s UD-Saint Joseph’s affair was critical for seedings in the A-10 tournament, which tips off Wednesday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: College hoops
Comments
By Crazy-Flyer
March 8, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
The Flyers should go into the A-10 tournament with momentum on their side. If they can win two games they will enhance their chance to get into the big dance. However, an NIT bit is most likely. If the NIT is where Dayton ends up, I hope they play Wright State. That would be good for the Valley.By Matt
March 8, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
It looks like the flyers will be in the 8-9 game, which would mean a second round game with Xavier. The pairings can still change though…By rodmunch
March 8, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Who cares about sub-par, mid-major UD basketball. Its almost as boring and pointless as playoffless UD football.By j
March 8, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
hey rodmunch guess your not a ture fan of ud basketball with coments like that you’ve got to rember that chris is out for 2 months of that mid majior season and may be back for the a10. your very rude fan dont post anymoreBy mattyboy24
March 8, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
If UD wins one more game in the a-10 torney there in the ncaa. Anyone who says otherwise is a wsu fan with wishful dreams of a gem city jam. Non conference wins they have are too significant. They have 3 wins against top 25 teams and thats better than wsu the past 3 years!By Mike
March 8, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
flyer’s have a spcial tradition-rod munch is no classyBy Mike
March 8, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
flyer’s have a spcial tradition-rod munch is no classyBy Mike
March 8, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
flyer’s have a spcial tradition-rod munch is no classyBy null
March 8, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Am a loyal red and blue fan and am writing from Taiwan. Great season, Flyers, despite serious injuries. Get back in the game Chris Wright and shine with your teammates. NCAA please call! BobBy Brian
March 8, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Way to go Flyers! I was watching at a bar in San Francisco with other alums. Win a few games in the A10 Tourney & the NCAA will be calling. GO FLYERS!!By Brian
March 8, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Way to go Flyers! I was watching at a bar in San Francisco with other alums. Win a few games in the A10 Tourney & the NCAA will be calling. GO FLYERS!!By sacredcowburger
March 9, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this
The future looks so bright…way ahead of schedule..we’ve got a program that keeps Dayton high standards, and wins…Hell Harvard can’t even do that… GO Flyers and munch this ROD!!!!By thepummeler
March 9, 2008 1:06 AM | Link to this
I wish ‘em all the luck, but I can’t wait til next year. With the Freshmen lineup and another year’s experience for Marcus and Charles…and a healthy Chris Wright, it should be easier to cope with the loss of Brian. Especially with Josh, Paul, and Luke coming to town. We need London to keep progressing and Mickey to step up so too much won’t be expected of Paul coming in. Go Flyers!!By purple
March 9, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
how were so many people at this game with so many surrounding counties on a Level 3 Snow Emergency? too bad sports is more important than public safety.