Dayton Flyers

Chris Johnson’s season-high 24 points included 9-of-13 shooting from the field.

Box Score

Despite 24 points from forward Chris Johnson, the University of Dayton Flyers were held off by the Old Dominion Monarchs 74-71 Saturday in Norfolk, Va. 

ODU led by eight (64-56) with 7:52 left in the game, but the Flyers scored nine straight to take a 65-64 lead with 3:25 to go. The Monarchs answered with their own 6-0 run to lead 70-65 with 36 seconds remaining. Paul Williams hit a three-pointer 20 seconds later to make the score 70-68, but ODU’s Darius James was fouled quickly and hit a pair of free throws. 

UD’s Johnson hit another three with nine seconds remaining to make the score 72-71. ODU went deep and Frank Harrell scored on a run out layup with three seconds left. Dayton hurried the ball up the floor and Josh Parker’s long three-pointer that may-or-may-not have counted at the buzzer wedged between the rim and the backboard.

Johnson’s season-high 24 points included 9-of-13 shooting from the field. Williams scored a career-high 17 points for the Flyers, with 5-of-6 shooting from three-point range.

Chris Wright had his fifth double-double of the year, with 11 points and 11 rebounds. He also had a career-high four steals and added three assists. Freshman point guard Juwan Staten led UD with seven assists against just two turnovers.

ODU pulled out the close win with large advantages in two areas. The Monarchs out-rebounded the Flyers 44 to 33 with 17 offensive rebounds. Old Dominion also dominated bench scoring 36-10.  ODU’s top two scorers, Keyon Carter and Trian Illadis, both scored career highs of 19 and 15 points off the bench. They shot a combined 5-of-9 from three point range.

Dayton falls to 7-3 on the season. ODU, the Colonial Athletic Association pre-season favorite, is now 8-2. 

UD will have a week between games for exams. The Flyers’ next action is Saturday, Dec. 18 at home against Western Carolina. Game time is 7 p.m. ET.