Dayton comes apart in final seconds in disappointing home loss to VCU

DAYTON — The Dayton Flyers led by as much as 16 points, 33-17, in the first half but came apart in the final seconds in a 63-62 loss to VCU at the UD Arena Friday night.

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Toumani Camara led UD with 27 points on 10-16 shooting while DaRon Holmes II added 13.

The Flyers made 24-48 shots, good for 50% for the game but they committed 18 turnovers.

They turned it over 10 times in the second half, including three times in the final 34 seconds.

David Shriver led the Rams with 18 points, making six three-pointers. Bran Johns, Junior added 16. VCU shot 55% in the second and scored 18 points off Dayton turnovers.

UD falls to 12-6 overall, 4-1 in the Atlantic 10.

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The Flyers led 33-19 at halftime but the Rams cut the deficit to 46-45 with 10:35 remaining. Camara’s three-pointer gave Dayton a 52-45 lead with 7:56 remaining. But UD went at least 6:45 without a field goal, Camara’s basket gave them a 62-58 lead with 1:09 to play.

Mike Sharavjamts missed the front end of a one and one with 46 seconds left but Ace Baldwin’s turnover gave UD the ball with 34 seconds left.

Sharavjamts pass was picked off by Shriver who then buried a three to cut it to 62-61 with 28 seconds left. Camara turned it over with 18 seconds to play and Nick Kern’s layup put VCU ahead for the first time in the game, 63-62, with 16 seconds to go.

Dayton turned it over inbounding the ball and VCU took over with 15 seconds left. Jayden Nunn missed the front end of a one and one with 12 seconds left and UD had a chance to win with five seconds left.

Camara missed a shot as time expired.

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Dayton’s next game will be Tuesday night when they host Davidson at the UD Arena. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

The game will be broadcast on WHIO Radio. You can also listen to the game on WHIO.com.

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