March 7, 2008
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA - All-league second team selection Nikki Oakland led the Flyers in double scoring with 20 points and hauled in 13 rebounds to lead fifth-seeded Dayton past No. 12 Massachusetts 57-51, on Friday afternoon at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Championships.
Dayton (24-7/9-5) advances to the quarterfinals with the win to face fourth-seeded Charlotte on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET. It will be the Flyers sixth appearance in the A-10 quarters. The action can be followed on www.DaytonFlyers.com with Gametracker and live audio.
Oakland's 20 points came on 7-of-14 shooting to go with a team-high three blocks, two assists and steal. Brittany Holterman joined Oakland in double figures with 10 points and was just two rebounds shy of a double-double with eight.
Freshman Kristin Daugherty scored eight points and Kendel Ross chipped in with seven points, three steals, and two assists for Dayton.
For UMass, Kate Mills led the way with a double-double of 19 rebounds and 17 points. Pam Rosanio and Cerie Mosgrove collected 11 points each for the Minutewomen.
It was a close game as both teams finished with 42 rebounds overall. Massachussets held a 23-of-65 edge from the floor. Dayton finished 21-of-60.
Foul trouble hurt UMass as the team committed 19 personal fouls to Dayton's six. UD finished 11-of-14 (64.7 percent) from the line.
Rosanio got things started for UMass after connecting on a layup and sinking a free throw for the three point play after a Cloxton foul.
Oakland would respond with a jumper but the Minutewomen would extend their advantage as Mills began lighting it up.
UD remained scoreless for nearly four minutes until Marie Rosche scored on a breakaway layup at 11:57 to get the team back in it.
Ross would net a three on the next time down the court to give the Flyers their second lead of the game 13-11 with 11:23 to play in the half.
However, UMass would not let up putting together a 7-0 run as Stephanie Lawrence sparked the Minutewomen's push with a basket at 10:10 and Mosgrove capped it with a three at 8:57.
Dayton would not lie down though, closing the margin to within two points after two throws from Oakland, with the score closing in at 26-24 with 3:15 on the clock.
UD would knot it up with a minute left before the break after Oakland sunk a basket.
UMass did not get another shot up and on the next possession Whitney McDonald drew a foul and Holterman was sent to the line to give the Flyers a 27-26 lead heading into the intermission.
Poor shooting hindered the Flyers in the first frame as the team shot 31.3 percent from the floor and went a dismal 1-for-12 from three point range. However, UD went 6-of-8 from the charity stripe as UMass fouled nine times during the half compared to Dayton's two.
Dayton came out in the second with more intensity. Daugherty put up a shot two minutes in and Armstrong hit a three and then was fouled on the next possession for another point to extend UD's lead.
UMass didn't get back in it until nearly four minutes into the half as Stefanie Gerardot collected two points on a jumper.
Holterman came on strong for Dayton with three consecutive baskets that included two jumpers and a free throw moving the score to 38-30 at the 13:54 mark.
Oakland netted a three at 6:35 and followed it with three consecutive baskets to extend the Flyer edge. Dayton would never relinquish its lead eventually sealing the victory 57-51.
Dayton will face fourth-seeded Charlotte on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET. The game can be followed with Gametracker and FREE live audio at www.DaytonFlyers.com. Live video is available via pay-per-view at www.Atlantic10.org and www.DaytonFlyers.com.
