Dayton Flyers

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DAYTON, Ohio – Josh Benson scored a career-high 21 points and Matt Kavanaugh matched his career best with 15 points leading the Dayton Flyers to a 87-58 opening victory over the Western Illinois Leathernecks in coach Archie Miller's debut.

Paul Williams scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half and Josh Parker tallied 11. Chris Johnson added eight points and 10 rebounds and Kevin Dillard in his Flyer debut dished out nine assists.

The Flyers have won seven consecutive home openers and 10 of their last 11.

Dayton shot 57 percent from the field and knocked down 10 shots from beyond the arc. The duo of Benson and Kavanaugh went a combined 17-of-22 (77 percent) shooting from the floor.

In fact, 50 of Dayton’s 87 points came in the paint. The Flyers also committed only eight turnovers, two of them in the second half.

After leading by only three in the first half and allowing Western Illinois to shoot 65 percent from the field, the Flyers clamped down and limited the Leathernecks to 5-of-26 shooting from the floor and 0-for-7 from 3-point range.

Tommie Tyler and Obi Emegano each scored 15 points to lead the Leathernecks.

Dayton’s next game will take place on the road as the Flyers face the Miami RedHawks on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET.