DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton men's basketball team (7-2) won its fifth straight game Saturday, defeating the East Tennessee State Buccaneers (7-2) at UD Arena Saturday afternoon by a final score of 75-61.

Charles Cooke led the way for Dayton, scoring 24 points while pulling down eight rebounds and blocking a career-high four shots. Kendall Pollard recorded his first start of the season, contributing a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.


GAME BREAKDOWN
First Half

•  Dayton got off to a fast-start in the game thanks to its defense, which forced four early turnovers leading to six points. The Flyers led after the first media timeout by a score of 11-5.
• Coming out of the under 12 media timeout, Dayton went on an 11-3 run, spanning from 10:08 till the 4:44 mark. The Flyers were able to jump out to a 30-18 advantage.
• After the first period, Dayton had recorded six blocks, six steals, and forced 12 turnovers while holding ETSU to 32 percent (10-31) from the field. The Flyers shot 48 percent (15-31) in the half and took a 37-25 lead into the break.

Second Half

• To start the second half, ETSU guard Desonta Bradford drove down the lane and powered home a huge dunk. The rest of the half was all Flyers though. Dayton quickly put a halt to any momentum the Buccaneers were hoping to catch by going on 9-0 run—highlighted by a fast-break slam from senior Kyle Davis. The run stretched UD's lead to 46-27.
• By the 8:29 mark, the Flyers had doubled up their halftime advantage leading Buccaneers 61-37.  ETSU used a 7-0 run to make the score 63-47 with 5:17 to go.  Cooke put an end to that by drilling a deep three from the top of the key.
• After the start of the half, the closest margin of the contest was the final 14-point margin.
• Dayton shot 52 percent (15-29) in the half.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 12 – Both points and rebounds for Kendall Pollard. The 12 rebounds marked a career high for the senior.
• 9 – Blocks Dayton had throughout the contest, four of which came from Cooke.  The four blocked shots are Cooke's career best.
• 50 – Points the Flyers scored in the paint. UD outscored ETSU by 26 in this category.
• 23 – Fast-break points Dayton scored.
• 18 – Total turnovers the Flyers forced from the Buccaneers.
• 4 – Points ETSU's leading scorer T.J. Cromer had in the game on 1-11 shooting. Cromer came into the contest averaging 19.1 points. Kyle Davis had the primary assignment of guarding him.

UP NEXT

•  After a week of semester exams, Dayton will return to action Saturday, December 17 when the Flyers travel to Chicago to take on Northwestern in the State Farm Chicago Legends Showcase. The game, which will be played at the United Center, is slated to tip at 7 p.m. ET.
•  Dayton's next home game is on Wednesday, Dec. 21 against Vanderbilt.