By Malcolm Price

DAYTON – The University of Dayton men’s basketball team fell in a tight contest to VCU, 73-68, on Friday night at UD Arena.

Junior Javon Bennett and senior Nate Santos were the only two Flyers to reach double-digits in the scoring column, Santos reaching 18 and Bennett 16. Santos led the Flyers in rebounding with seven.

Dayton is now 16-8 overall and 6-5 in the Atlantic 10.  VCU is 19-5, and alone in second place in the a-10 with a 9-2 record.

First Half – VCU 31,  Dayton 28 

• Junior Javon Bennett got the Flyers first five points off a tip-in and also securing a dagger.
• Senior Enoch Cheeks finished strong in the paint through the contest VCU defense at 15:54 to make the score 8-7.
• Redshirt Freshman Jaiun Simon got the left-handed finish at 10:44 to end the scoring drought.
• Junior Jacob Conner converted the tip in at 9:45 to make the score 15-13 VCU.
• After a steal, Redshirt Junior Malachi Smith drilled a three to cut the Rams lead to one at the 5:35 mark.
• Freshman Amaël L’Etang threw down a vicious dunk at 5:16.
• Senior Nate Santos had a nice backdoor cut to give the Flyers a 20-19 lead with 4:55 left.
• The scoring continued with a three from Santos to give Dayton back the lead 23-21 that got the crowd roaring.
• Graduate student Zed Key threw it down off the backboard lob from Bennett at 3:11
• Santos was able to draw a foul and convert three free throws to add to his hot start to the half.
• The Rams ended the half on a 6-0 run.

Second Half – VCU 73, Dayton 68

• Flyers get their half started with a three from Posh Alexander at 18:55.
• A fast break leads to a foul on Javon Bennett making both free throws tying VCU 33-33 at 18:13.
• Alexander hits another three at 16:30 to give the Flyers a 38-37 lead.
• Dayton evened the score again thanks to a monster dunk from Key on the assist from Cheeks.
• At 12:28, Santos drove inside for a smooth finish to bring the score to 45-44 VCU.
• Key sank both shots from the line to tie the game at 47 at the 9:56 mark.
• The score was knotted up again after Bennett nailed both shots from the line.
• Dayton took the lead 53-51 when Alexander swished both free throws at 7:11.
• The crowd erupted after Bennett splashed a three from the corner at 5:40 to give the Flyers a 58-54.
• Two free throws from Bennett ended a 12-0 run by the Rams and made the score 66-61 with 52 seconds left.
• Bennett converted a layup at the 38-second mark to cut the VCU lead to four.
• A three-pointer by Santos tightened the score to 69-66 with 27 seconds remaining.

Nate Santos & Javon Bennett UD M BKB Postgame Press Conference VCU 73 UD 68 2 7 2025.mp3

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