<P><B>March 9, 2005</B>
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<b><li><a href="http://www.atlantic10.org/sports/mbball/champs.asp">A-10 Championship site</a></b><br>
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<P><B>CINCINNATI - </B>
Two trips to Cincinnati in four days and two completely different results. The University of Dayton hit eight of its first 10 shots on the way to a 78-48 rout of St. Bonaventure University in the Opening Round of the 2005 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Championship Wednesday night at U.S. Bank Arena. The Flyers (18-10) will play Temple Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. in the last of four quarterfinal match-ups.
<P>With 18 points, freshman <A HREF="http://daytonflyers.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/plummer_norman00.html">Norman Plummer</a> led a balanced UD attack which showed no signs of the cold-spell that gripped the team at Xavier in the season-finale last Saturday. Freshman <A HREF="http://daytonflyers.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/roberts_brian00.html">Brian Roberts</a> scored 12 points off the bench - 10 in the first half - and freshman <A HREF="http://daytonflyers.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/binnie_jimmy00.html">Jimmy Binnie</a> added 10 to cap three Flyers in double-digits. Twelve of the 13 players that played for UD in the game scored points and 11 of the 13 had rebounds.
<P>UD opened the game with a sizzling start and led 24-8 at the 8:38 mark, entertaing the predominately red-clad crowd of 5,872. Before picking up two early fouls, freshman <A HREF="http://daytonflyers.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/meacham_trent00.html">Trent Meacham</a> nailed a three, had a steal that started a fast break which led to points and then a hit driving lay-up to put UD up 16-6 at 12:19. Roberts nailed treys on back-to-back possessions and the Flyers led 32-13 with 7:30 left in the half.
<P>Although Dayton took its largest halftime lead of the season at 44-22 (with 33 points coming from UD freshmen), the Bonnies (2-26) would not go quietly.
<P>St. Bona opened the second half with a 7-2 run, cutting the lead to 17 with 17:07 to play. But <A HREF="http://daytonflyers.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/scott_monty00.html">Monty Scott</a> nailed a trey from the corner, extending the lead back to 20 (49-29) with 16:27 to play. And 2:30 later, Plummer capped a fast break with a dunk to put the Flyers up 51-29 and Bona would get no closer.
<P>Triggered by its best shooting performance of the season (55%, 27-of-49), the Flyers 30-point margin of victory was the team's largest since beating Duquesne 88-44 in the 2001-02 season.
<P>UD owned a commanding 40-19 advantage on the glass while holding the Bonnies to just 29% shooting from the field. <A HREF="http://daytonflyers.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/williams_warren00.html">Warren Williams</a> grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Plummer had six. Binnie and Roberts each had five.
<P>Tomorrow night's quarterfinal game versus Temple is scheduled for an 8:30 p.m. tip-off at U.S. Bank Arena (or approximately 23 minutes following the conclusion of the previous game - George Washington vs. Fordham). The winner of those two quarterfinals will meet in Friday's second semifinal (at 8:30 p.m.). All of Thursday's A-10 quaterfinal games will be live on A-10 TV (Fox Sports Ohio)
<P>For tickets visit the U.S. Bank Arena box office or contact Ticket Master at 513-562-4949 or online at <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com">www.ticketmaster.com</a>. |
