Dayton knocks off Saint Louis

DAYTON — The Dayton Flyers defeated the Saint Louis Billikens, 68-63, Tuesday night at the UD Arena.

Kobe Elvis and Malachi Smith each led UD with 14 points while Daron Holmes II added 11 points and blocked five shots. The Flyers led by as much as 16 points in the second half but the Billikens got to within as much as four points in the final seconds but UD pulled away.

UD made 44 percent of their shots (22-50) and scored 17 points off Billiken turnovers. They outrebound Saint Louis, 34-28. Dayton improves to 10-6 overall, 2-1 in the Atlantic 10.

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The game was tight to start as it was tied at 14-14 with 12:16 remaining after Mustapha Amzil’s three-pointer. Saint Louis scored five straight points, including a trey by Terrance Hargrove, Junior, to lead 19-14. Koby Brea and Kobe Elvis responded by each scoring five straight points to put Dayton ahead, 24-19.

UD led 30-24 with under two minutes left but Toumani Camara’s put back dunk increase it to 32-24. Malachi Smith’s steal and layup put them up, 34-24 and R.J. Blakney scored off a Kobe Elvis steal to help give the Flyers a 36-26 halftime lead.

Saint Louis cut it to 43-40 with 11:39 remaining before point guard Yuri Collins picked up his fourth foul. Dayton took full advantage by going on a 14-2 capped by Holmes’ dunk to go ahead, 57-42, with 8:17 remaining. The Billikens called a timeout but another dunk by Holmes gave UD their biggest advantage of the night, 61-45, with 4:20 left. Saint Louis would not go quietly as they cut it to 67-63 but the Flyers pulled away.

Dayton’s next scheduled game is Saturday against Duquesne at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh, PA. Pre-game coverage begins at 11:30 am, tip-off is at 12:30 pm and Flyer Feedback follows the game on the home of the Flyers; 1290 and 95-7, WHIO.

You can also listen to the game online here at WHIO.com.

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