DAYTON - The University of Dayton women's basketball plays its third nationally ranked team in the past four games, taking on No. 21/23 Gonzaga in the opening game of the 2019 Gulf Coast Showcase in Ft. Myers, Fla. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET at Hertz Arena.

SCOUTING THE FLYERS
Dayton is looking to get back on the winning track after a two-game losing skid, falling to No. 4 UConn and in overtime on the road at Central Michigan. UD is playing its first neutral game, but has found success on the road, going 2-1 this year.

Head coach Shauna Green is in her fourth season in charge of the Flyers and already has two tournament and one regular season conference titles, as well as being the former A-10 Coach of the Year in 2018.

As a team, the Flyers are scoring 63.2 points per game and allowing 65.5 to opponents. Dayton is shooting 33.0 percent overall, 29.5 percent from three, and 72.0 percent from the free throw line. The Flyers still have positive rebounding and turnover margins to go off of though.

Dayton is led by redshirt junior Erin Whalen, who has a team-high 12.2 points to go with a 40 percent field goal percentage off the bench. Seniors Jayla Scaife and Jenna Giacone are contributing 11.7 and 11.2 points respectively.

SCOUTING GONZAGA
No. 21/23 Gonzaga will meet Dayton in Florida with a 3-1 record on the season, the lone loss coming at Stanford in overtime two weeks ago. This will be the first neutral site game for the Bulldogs, who are coming off their third win of the season Friday.

Head coach Lisa Fortier is in her sixth season in charge of Gonzaga, but seventh year overall after serving as an assistant previously.

This season, Gonzaga is outscoring opponents by a +25.3 margin, which ranks 26th in the nation. The Bulldogs rank eighth in the country in fewest turnovers and are 21st in three-point field goal percentage. Gonzaga also benefits from a +8.2 rebounding margin.

The Bulldogs have four players averaging double-figures, led by Jill Townsend's 12.8 points per game. Three more players average more than eight points including Melody Kempton, who has a team-high 6.5 boards per game.

LAST TIME OUT
Dayton hosted its second straight Top 10 opponent, taking on No. 4 UConn Tuesday at UD Arena. The Flyers just did not have enough firepower to overcome a poor shooting night as the Flyers fell 75-37. Scaife led UD with 12 points and six boards.

Gonzaga defeated Eastern Washington last Friday, 84-44. The Bulldogs held the Eagles to just 21 points in the second half while shooting 50 percent. Six different players had nine or more points for Gonzaga.

THE SERIES
Dayton and Gonzaga have played just three times in the series history with the Bulldogs winning each meeting. UD fell to Gonzaga at home last outing, 57-47, at UD Arena on Dec. 11, 2015.

STATISTICAL RANKINGS
The Flyers rank 25th in the nation in rebounds and top 50 in rebounds per game and free throws made. Individually, Shakeela Fowler is 28th in the country in free throw percentage.

CHALLENGED EARLY AND OFTEN
Dayton created one of the hardest non-conference schedules in program history, taking on three nationally ranked teams in the first seven games, and facing numerous 2019 NCAA Tournament participants. The Flyers have already played No. 6 South Carolina, No. 4 UConn, three-peat MAC Champions Central Michigan, and former NCAA participants Northeastern.

THREE POINTS OF EXCELLENCE
Dayton has hit at least one three-point shot in 574 consecutive games dating back to Jan. 2, 2001, the longest streak in the Atlantic 10 Conference and one of the top streaks in the nation. The Flyers made a program-record 15 three-point field goals against Buffalo in the Connecticut World Vision Classic on Nov. 25, 2011. Dayton tied the record with 15 vs. Wright State on Nov. 28, 2012.

UP NEXT
Dayton continues the Gulf Coast Showcase on Saturday, playing either the winner or loser of Auburn and Middle Tennessee State, depending on the outcome of both games. Times and the full bracket can be found at GulfCoastShowcase.com.