PHILADELPHIA – The No. 20 University of Dayton men's basketball team began the Atlantic 10 Conference play with a 84-58 road win at La Salle. The Flyers improved to 12-2 on the season while the Explorers fell to 9-4.
 
The Flyers were led by Obi Toppin with 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, seven rebounds and four assists. Four additional Flyers scored in double-digits during the game -- Jalen Crutcher (15 points), Ryan Mikesell (11), Trey Landers (10) and Ibi Watson (10).
 
GAME BREAKDOWN
1st Half: Dayton 46, La Salle 24
• Dayton started the game with two turnovers that allowed La Salle to take an early two-point lead.
• The Flyers responded by going on a 9-2 run that forced an Explorers timeout.
• Dayton extended the lead to 11 points after going on an 11-2 run in just over three minutes of play that brought the score to 25-14.
• The Flyers kept the pressure on La Salle by putting up an additional 13 points while keeping La Salle scoreless, extending the Flyers run to 24-2.
• Dayton only allowed La Salle eight points in the last six minutes of the half.
• Obi Toppin led the Flyers with 11 points; Five additional players also scored over six points.
• The Flyers outrebounded the Explorers 16-13 with Ryan Mikesell leading Dayton with four rebounds.
• Dayton shot an incredible 17-of-25 (68%) from the field and 4-of-5 (80%) from beyond the arc.
• The Flyers continued to share the ball with 12 assists on 17 made field goals.
• Dayton led La Salle for 18:30 (92.5%) of the half, with the largest lead being 24 points.
 
2nd Half: Dayton 84, La Salle 58
• Dayton started the half keeping the pressure on with a three-point field goal by Jalen Crutcher that began a 13-8 run up to the first media timeout.
• The Flyers held the lead for the entirety of the second half, with a largest lead of 31 points at the 9:52 mark of the half.
• Dayton shot 42.4% from the field during the half and held La Salle to shooting 37.1%.
• The Flyers assisted on 10-of-14 made field goals.
• The Flyers' bench contributed 19 of the 38 points of the half (50%).
 
 INSIDE THE NUMBERS
• The Flyers dominated the paint outscoring the Explorers 48-30 inside. 
• Dayton shot the ball well making 31-of-58 (53.4%) field goals.
• Eight Flyers scored during the game.
• The Dayton starters combined to score 65 of their 84 points.
• Obi Toppin led the Flyers with 20 points; Toppin was also 5-of-5 from the line.
• The Flyers scored 29 points off of 16 forced turnovers.
• Dayton's defense locked up La Salle allowing them to shoot just 23-of-66 (34.8%)
• Five Flyers scored double figures in the game; Rodney Chatman was not far behind with nine points.
• Trey Landers led Dayton in both assists (6) and rebounds (8).
 
UP NEXT 
• Dayton will stay in Philadelphia to face Saint Joseph's on Sunday, January 5th at 1 p.m. ET.
• The Flyers will return home Saturday, January 11th to host Massachusetts at 12:30 p.m. ET.