WINTER PARK, Fla. – The University of Dayton women's basketball team defeated Texas A&M on Tuesday in the opening game of the Florida Sunshine Classic, 74-57.

The Flyers (4-6) out-hustled a talented Aggie (8-3) team that entered the game receiving votes in both the AP and Coaches polls.

GAME BREAKDOWN
1^st Quarter – Dayton 20, Texas A&M 15
The Flyers relied on the three-pointer from the beginning and after trailing early, tied the game up at 8-8. Junior Jenna Burdette had a strong first quarter and scored eight points to put Dayton ahead by five at the end of the first quarter. UD played just as well on the defensive end, stifling A&M's leading scorer Danni Williams.

2^nd Quarter – Dayton 45, Texas A&M 25
The Flyers extended their lead and then some in the second quarter. Thanks to a 14-0 run in the final stages of the second, Dayton went into the break with a 20-point lead, 45-25. Senior Andrijana Cvitkovic and sophomore Lauren Cannatelli both hit a couple of big three's while the post players caused problems defensively for the Aggies.

3^rd Quarter – Dayton 56, Texas A&M 39
Dayton continued to pressure A&M in the third and took a 19-point lead into the media timeout. The Aggies were unable to get any rhythm on the offensive end as the Flyers continued to pressure the bigs of A&M. UD slowed down in the middle of the third quarter, but a crucial three by Cannatelli put the Flyers back on track, 56-35.

4^th Quarter – Dayton 74, Texas A&M 57
Senior Saicha Grant-Allen had a couple of quick buckets to add to Dayton's lead at 62-46. The Aggies put up a fight though and narrowed the gap to 11 before the Flyers scored some late baskets to push it back to a 17-point differential.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Dayton scored the most three-pointers ever allowed by Texas A&M, going 12-for-22.
• The Flyers were 9-of-14 from three-point range in the first half.
• UD was led by Burdette and senior Kelley Austria who both had 14 points in the contest, while Burdette chipped in seven assists.
• Grant-Allen added 11 points and three blocks.
• Redshirt junior Alex Harris had another all-around performance with eight points, a career high 15 rebounds, three blocks, and two assists.
• Cannatelli finished with 13 points as well, making it four Flyers in double figures.
• Dayton shot 50.9% from the field, 54.5% from three-point range, and 66.7% from the charity stripe.
• Texas A&M shot 38.1% from the floor, 27.3% from three, and 75% from the free throw line.
• The Flyers got 22 points from their bench and out-rebounded the Aggies 36-33.

 

KEY STAT

• 12 – Dayton hit 12 three-pointers to soar past Texas A&M, which was the most the Aggies have ever allowed in a single game.

 

UP NEXT

• The Flyers will now face Old Dominion to finish the Florida Sunshine Classic on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. in Winter Park, Fla.