Box Score ///
Box Score (PDF)/// Facebook Photo Gallery
DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton Flyers men's basketball team defeated the Murray State Racers 72-51 behind
Dyshawn Pierre's third straight double-double on Sunday at UD Arena. The sophomore forward led three Flyers in double-figures with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Devin Oliver also added a double-double of his own (12 points and 12 rebounds), while
Jordan Sibert scored 11 points.
UD improved to 10-3 with the win. Dayton has now won at least 10 non-conference for the eighth consecutive season with two games to play before beginning the Atlantic 10 portion of the schedule. Murray State drops to 5-7.
The Racers jumped out to an 8-2 lead with 16:11 left in the first half. UD responded by eventually tying the game at 17-17 with 7:26 remaining in the half. The Racers would not regain the lead again. Dayton closed the first half on a 20-8 run over the final 11-and-a-half minutes to take a 33-28 halftime lead.
The Flyers never were in danger of losing the lead in the second half as Murray State only came within five points (35-30) briefly with 19:02 left in the game. Dayton scored the next five points to push it back out to ten and then UD controlled a double-digit lead over the final 11:14 in the second half to cruise to the victory.
The rebounding differential was the main factor in the game as Dayton dominated the boards 44-24. UD corralled 16 offensive rebounds, which led to a 19-7 advantage in second-chance points. The Flyer bench out-played the Racer bench 21-14 and UD controlled points in the paint 36-26.
Dayton shot 51.9% (27-of-52) from the field while holding Murray State to just 36.5% (19-of-52). UD also shot 46.2% from beyond the arc (6-of-13) while holding the Racers to 22.2% from the three (4-of-18).
Point guard
Khari Price had a season high (and career-high-tying) five assists to lead the Flyers. Sibert was right behind with a career-best four assists.
The Flyers are back in action on New Year's Day as they take on the Winthrop Eagles. Tip-off from UD Arena is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.