DAYTON, Ohio – University of Dayton men’s basketball opened the New Year and closed non-conference play with a thrilling double-overtime 76-73 win over New Mexico on Saturday afternoon at UD Arena.
Four Flyers accounted for 64 of Dayton’s 76 total points as each scored 15 points or more, led by senior forward Chris Wright with his sixth double-double of the season on 17 points and 14 rebounds – one shy of his career-high rebound mark. Paul Williams, Josh Parker and Chris Johnson each drained four 3-point field goals. Williams and Parker finished with 16 points and Johnson tallied 15. It is the first time this season that UD has boasted four players with15 points or more.
The Flyers shot 45 percent (13-29) from beyond the arc to New Mexico’s 4-of-16 shooting from long range. On the offensive side, the Flyers out-rebounded the Lobos 18-7.
Dayton improves to 12-3 and extends its winning streak to five games. New Mexico guard Dairese Gary lead all scorers with 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting as the Lobos fall to 11-3 on the season.
It is the sixth time the Flyers have come back to win after trailing at the half and the third win after trailing by at least 12 points this season. New Mexico led 38-32 at the break with a 46 shooting percentage and making 13-of-16 free throw attempts. Of UD’s 32 first-half points, 21 came from 3-point range.
Dayton opened the second half with a 12-4 run, capped off by a put-back dunk from Wright to tie the game at 44. Sophomore Matt Kavanaugh gave the Flyers their first lead of the game at 47-46 with 11 minutes remaining after completing an old-fashioned 3-point play. New Mexico used a 6-0 run to force the second overtime game of the season for UD.
2010-11 Dayton Comeback Wins
Date
Opponent
Halftime
Final
11/20
at Ole Miss
33-46
W, 78-71 (OT)
11/22
vs. Savannah State
34-37
W, 61-59
12/4
vs. Miami (OH)
29-33
W, 70-58
12/7
vs. Central Connecticut St.
23-29
W, 63-61
12/22
at Seton Hall
26-40
W, 69-65
1/1
vs. New Mexico
32-38
W, 76-73 (2OT)
In both overtimes, Williams came through in the clutch with 3-pointers to give UD much-needed momentum. In the first overtime, the Detroit native gave the Flyers a 69-68 lead with 2:20 remaining. The Lobos came back to tie the game at 71 to force a second overtime with three unanswered points. On UD’s first possession of the second overtime, Williams’ 3-pointer proved to be the only field goal from either team of the period, as UD outscored New Mexico 5-2 for the second overtime win of the season.
The Flyers will bring the longest winning streak in the Atlantic 10 into conference play next Wednesday, Jan. 5 at Saint Louis. The 8 p.m. ET tipoff will be nationally televised on CBS College Sports.
