DAYTON, Ohio- The University of Dayton women's basketball team continued its three game home stand to host the La Salle Explorers on Sunday and fell to the visitors 54-51.

The Flyers are now (3-5) on the season and the Explorers are (4-4).  

GAME BREAKDOWN

1st Quarter: Dayton 13, La Salle 11

The game started as a strong defensive battle as both sides struggled to score early. Dayton's defensive effort was lifted by two steals in the first quarter. Dayton lost the rebounding battle with only six rebounds compared to La Salle's nine. The Flyers scored 10 of their 13 points in the paint and shot 42.9% from the field. Junior Jenna Burdette and senior Saicha Grant-Allen combined to score all of the Flyers points in the first quarter. Burdette scored seven and Grant-Allen added six.

2nd Quarter: Dayton 24, La Salle 30

The Flyers took control early in the second quarter starting with a five to zero run. La Salle came alive midway through the second taking a 20-18 lead with 5:32 left in the half. The Flyers were then held scoreless for three of the final four minutes in the quarter until Burdette converted a lay-up with 56 seconds left. Dayton was once again dominant in the paint adding eight points in the paint to their 10 in the first quarter. Burdette and Grant-Allen once again had dominant quarters as they scored 22 of the Flyers 24 points. Freshman Jordan Wilmoth added the Flyers other two points of the half.

3rd Quarter: Dayton 39, La Salle 39

La Salle was held scoreless through the first five minutes of the quarter as the Flyers scored seven unanswered points to retake the lead at the 6:10 mark. Both sides traded baskets the rest of the quarter to end the third quarter in a tie. The rest of the team started to heat up and were led in the third by senior Andrijana Cvitkovic with six points. The Flyers continued to dominate the paint with eight points in the paint.

4th Quarter: Dayton 51, La Salle 54

The fourth quarter with the Explorers breaking the tie and taking the lead. The Flyers fought their way back and tied the game at 51-51 with 2:11 left in the game. The crowd rose to their feet to support the Flyers defensive effort as they made a crucial stop. With one minute left in the game, La Salle took a one point lead with one minute to go. With 5.7 seconds left in the game, there was a tie up for a loose ball, giving La Salle possession. The Flyers committed an intentional foul on the inbound pass. La Salle went two for two at the line giving the Explorers a three point lead. Dayton's last second three point attempt failed to convert as the Explorers went on to win 54-51. The Flyers struggled shooting late, shooting 33.3% from the field and went 50% from the free throw line.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The game was very back and forth as the score was tied seven times and there were six lead changes.

• Dayton dominated the paint scoring 34 points in the paint compared to La Salle's 24.

• The Flyers scored 19 points off turnovers, seven more than La Salle's 12.

• Dayton went 8-20 from the free throw line, while La Salle went 9-15 from the stripe.

• Amy Griffin led the Explorers with 23 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal.

• Burdette led the Flyers in scoring with 15 points and shooting 60% from the field.

• Saicha Grant-Allen added 14 points and led the team in rebounding with eight.

KEY STAT

12- Dayton missed 12 free throws, shooting 40% from the charity stripe, which was a critical aspect in La Salle's victory.
 

UP NEXT

The Flyers will face the Toledo Rockets on at UD Arena on Friday, December 9 at 11 a.m.