DAYTON –  The University of Dayton men's basketball team (6-2) defeated the Saint Joseph's College Pumas (4-5) at UD Arena on Tuesday evening by a score of 91-59.

It was an early offensive struggle for the Flyers, as three early fast break layups and dunks kept the Pumas within three points with just under the eight-minute media timeout. However, the Dayton defense suffocated Saint Joseph's offense, as the Dayton defense forced 15 turnovers which led to 15 points off turnovers and a more comfortable 39-30 lead at the half.

That momentum carried over in the second half, as the Flyers forced an additional 12 Puma turnovers. Dayton's offense also began to come around in the second half, where the Flyers scored 52 points and shot a scorching 60.6% (20-33) from the field, cruising to the cruised 91-59 victory.

Seniors Kyle Davis and Charles Cooke led the team in scoring, putting in 18 apiece.

GAME BREAKDOWN
• Both teams struggled to create separation early, as the first half saw three lead changes and eight ties.
• After the eight minute media timeout, the Flyer defense began to break the Pumas, forcing six turnovers in four minutes to help spark a 14-3 run that saw the Flyers up as much as 11 with 3:32 left in the first.
• Two consecutive Davone Daniels three pointers brought Saint Joseph's within five, but the Flyers closed the half strong capped by a Ryan Mikesell layup to put the score at 39-30 going into the locker room.
• Dayton's suffocating defense continued to stifle the Pumas entering the second half, forcing an additional 11 turnovers in the second half.
• The defense opened up the offense for the Flyers, as the Flyers shot 60.6% (20-33) in the second half thanks to 32 points in the paint, 19 points off turnovers, and 16 fast break points in the second half.
• Kyle Davis helped put Saint Joseph's away for good, scoring 14 of his 18 points in the second half.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
• Kyle Davis and Charles Cooke both led the Flyers in scoring with 18 each. Both had very efficient nights, as Davis shot 88.9% (8-9) and Cooke shot 50% (6-12) from the field.
• Davis' 18 points were a career high.  After scoring just 14 points in the season's first four games, he has reached double figures in the last four.
• Kendall Pollard (14 points, 6-8 FG) and Scoochie Smith (13 points) also reached double digits for UD.
• In his first career start, Xeryius Williams recorded five blocks, just one shy of the school's single game record in a first career start. He also chipped in eight points, five rebounds, and four steals.
• Senior walk-on Joey Gruden scored his first college point with a free throw at the one-minute mark in the second half.
• The Flyer defense forced 29 Puma turnovers, including 21 steals that helped lead to 34 points off turnover.
• The defense also set a UD record with 11 blocks on the night.  The previous mark of nine was done six times, the last against Xavier in 2008-09.
• The Pumas came into the game averaging 90.6 points per game. Tonight they only managed 59 on 40% (22-55) shooting.
• The Dayton offense was not too shabby either, shooting 55% (33-60) on the night from the field, including a 60.6% (20-33) clip in the second half.
• The Flyers held SJC leading scorer Eric Gillespie to just four points, 12.5 under his season average of 16.5.
• Nic Williams led the Pumas with 17 points.
• Dayton has now won 14 of its last 16 games when Kyle Davis has scored in double figures, and 27 of its last 31 when three or more players score in double figures.
• Charles Cooke has scored in double figures in his last 13 games dating back from last season, and has led the team in scoring in all but one game this season (Alabama).
• Cooke and Smith have scored in double figures all eight games this year.
• The victory pushes the Flyers to 5-0 in their career series against Saint Joseph's College, with the last matchup occurring in 1973.

UP NEXT
• Dayton takes on East Tennessee State at home on Saturday, December 10th at 2pm.
• The game will be televised on Fox Sports Ohio, and also be called over WHIO Radio.