Holmes’ 5th straight double-double powers Dayton past UNC Asheville

DAYTON — The Dayton Flyers got a big game from sophomore forward DaRon Holmes II to beat UNC Asheville, 79-56, Saturday afternoon at the UD Arena. Holmes posted his fifth straight double-double: 27 points and 12 rebounds. He led five UD players in double figures.

Toumani Camara also had a double-double for Dayton; 13 points and 11 rebounds. R.J. Blakney and Koby Brea each scored while Mustapha Amzil had 10 points. Mike Sharavjamts had eight assists.

The Flyers improve their record to 6-5 on the season.

>>Dayton no answer for former Wright State star in road lost at Virginia Tech

Dayton jumped out to a 9-2 lead on a layup by Sharavjamts and one dunk each by Holmes and Camara. Blakney’s three-point play helped UD to a 12-6 advantage with 11:54 left in the first half.

Walk-on Brady Uhl buried a three-pointer coming out of a time out and Camara’s layup increase it to 17-6. Holmes scored six straight points to expand it to 24-14 with 6:17 remaining until halftime.

Holmes ended the half with a pair of dunks for the Flyers to put them ahead, 34-19, at halftime.

Amzil buried three treys to push the advantage to 42-22 to begin the second half and Holmes’ three-point play extended it to 47-26.

Brea knocked down three shots from beyond the three-point line as Dayton led, 66-39, with 8:34 remaining. Amzil’s dunk gave UD their biggest lead of the game, 79-50.

The Flyers will have a week in between games for semester exams. Their next game will be December 17 when they play Wyoming at the United Center in Chicago in the Legends of Basketball Showcase.

Tip-off is at 8 p.m. The game will be broadcast on WHIO Radio. You can listen here at WHIO.com.