DAYTON - The University of Dayton women's basketball team finishes up the non-conference portion of the schedule by hosting Vanderbilt University on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at UD Arena.

SCOUTING THE FLYERS
Dayton got back on the winning track with a four-point victory over Central Michigan Sunday and will finish up the non-conference schedule with a winning record for the second straight year. The Flyers are 6-4 overall and 6-1 at home this season.

Head coach Tamika Williams-Jeter is in her third season in charge of her hometown Flyers, coming over after a year at Wittenberg. She has assistant coaching stops at Kansas, Kentucky, Penn State, and Ohio State.

The Flyers are averaging 64.9 points per game and holding opponents to 62.4 points each outing. Dayton is shooting 39.8 percent overall, 27.8 percent from three point range, and 69.9 percent from the free throw line.  UD benefits from a +3.6 rebounding margin, but is committing more turnovers.

Leading the way for the Flyers are seniors Ivy Wolf, with 16.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, and Arianna Smith, with 10.0 points and 7.9 rebounds each contest. Graduate student Rikki Harris has played a multitude of positions and averages 8.1 points and 2.5 assists per game.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
VANDERBILT
Vanderbilt comes to Dayton with a 10-1 record on the season and receiving votes in the AP Poll while holding a three-game winning streak. The Commodores are 2-0 in true road games, enjoying the majority of their success at home.

Head coach Shea Ralph is in her fourth season at Vanderbilt and is a former teammate at Connecticut with Coach Williams-Jeter, winning the national championship with her in 2000.

As a team, Vanderbilt ranks top 5 in the country in offensive rebounding, turnover margin, and is sixth in scoring margin. The Commodores are scoring 87.7 points each outing and allowing just 52.7 points to opposing squads. Vandy is averaging 46.8 percent from the floor, 31.5 percent from behind the arc, and 75.9 percent from the charity stripe.

Sophomore Khamil Pierre is having a SEC Player of the Year campaign, ranking second in the nation in double-doubles, third in steals and rebounds per game, and fifth in points per game. She is averaging 22.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.0 steals each contest. Mikayla Blakes is no slouch herself with 20.4 points per game while Iyana Moore is chipping in 11.2 points each contest.

SERIES HISTORY
The Flyers and Commodores are meeting for the 10th time in program history with Vanderbilt holding a 6-3 series advantage. The two teams faced off almost a year ago exactly on Dec. 20, 2023 with a 70-53 win at home for the Commodors. Prior to that, UD had won the last two contests.

LEADING THE PACK
Arianna Smith leads the A-10 in field goal percentage while Ivy Wolf ranks second in free throw percentage.

UP NEXT
Dayton will travel to rv Richmond on Sunday, Dec. 29 in the Atlantic 10 opener. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. at the Robins Center.

FIRST ROOKIE HONORS FOR LEUNG
Freshman guard Olivia Leung earned A-10 Rookie of the Week accolades on Nov. 25 after her 13-points, 11 of which came on the rally in the 4th, in the win over Providence.

DOUBLING-UP
Senior Arianna Smith recorded 11 double-doubles last season and and averaged that per game. She already has two this season in the opener against SEMO and vs Central Connecticut State on Dec. 1.

FLYERS PICKED 11TH IN PRESEASON POLL
Dayton was picked to finish 11th in the 2024-25 Atlantic 10 preseason poll with 84 points. The Flyers were picked ahead of George Washington, Massachusetts, St. Bonaventure, and La Salle. Richmond was chosen as the preseason favorites, followed by Saint Joseph's, George Mason, and Davidson.

PREPPING FOR A-10 PLAY
Dayton's non-conference schedule features eight home games, one true road game, and two neutral site games. Besides hosting the likes of Providence and Vanderbilt, UD traveled to No. 16 Duke on Nov. 14 and participated in the Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn.

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