FULLERTON, Calif. – The Dayton Flyers nearly erased a 13-point deficit, but came up short in a heartbreaking 80-78 loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers

Xeyrius Williams netted career highs of 15 points and nine rebounds, while Charles Cooke led the Flyers (2-2 overall) with 17.

Scoochie Smith added 13 points and Sam Miller scored 11.

GAME BREAKDOWN

• Dayton trailed 40-31 at halftime. It was the third consecutive game the Flyers were down at the half.
• Nebraska kept the double-digit lead through most of the second half until Dayton went on a 6-0 run at the eight-minute mark to cut the deficit to 59-53.
• UD cut the deficit to 77-73 after a Smith layup with 37 seconds to play. On the ensuing inbounds play, Williams forced a steal and Cooke picked up the loose ball, converted the layup and sank a free throw to cut the Nebraska lead to one.
• Smith gave Dayton the lead, 78-77, with 16 seconds to play, but it was short-lived as Glynn Watson Jr. hit two of his 20 points at the free throw line with nine seconds remaining to give the Cornhuskers the advantage again.
• Smith had a chance to give the Flyers the lead, but came up short on a contested layup with four seconds to play.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Nebraska shot a season-best 57 percent from the field and dominated with 40 points in the paint.
• The Flyers were 10 of 24 from beyond the arc (42 percent).
• Williams obliterated his previous career highs, which was seven points against Iowa last season and six rebounds against Saint Mary's.
• Smith and Cooke have scored in double figures in all four games this season.
• This is the first time in the Archie Miller era Dayton has started a season 2-2. Both losses have come without Josh Cunningham and Kendall Pollard in the lineup.
• UD is 31-13 in the last nine years against the power five programs.

UP NEXT
The Flyers will face Portland or UCLA in the second round of the 2016 Wooden Legacy at 9:30 p.m ET.