Dayton Dominates North Florida 84-61 on Hall of Fame Night
(Photo via Carson Caprella)
Gabriel Ward | Sports Editor
DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton men’s basketball team defeated North Florida 84-61 Saturday night at UD Arena. The game also served as the UD Athletics Hall of Fame induction for many former Flyers, including basketball alumnus Obi Toppin. Toppin, who helped the Pacers to a trip to the NBA Finals last season, was in attendance and at the under-8-minute timeout received his 2020 Naismith College Player of the Year award for the first time.
The Flyers did their best Toppin impressions in the first half. After not scoring in the first three minutes, Dayton began to roll. From just over 14 minutes through nine minutes left in the first half, the Flyers went on a 19-0 run, which included multiple Malcolm Thomas dunks as well as a slam from De’Shayne Montgomery. That run would finally come to a close when North Florida’s Trey Cady made a layup to make the score 24-8, Dayton ahead.
Dayton’s offense continued to light up the scoreboard in the first half. Thomas led the way as he was perfect from the field in the first half, going 6-6 and scoring 12 points. Montgomery only missed one first-half shot and scored 12 points of his own to help the Flyers to a 46-23 halftime advantage.
At halftime, the university inducted former women’s basketball player Kelley Austria, cross-country runner Chris Lemon, administrator Doug Hauschild, and men’s basketball player Obi Toppin into the University of Dayton Athletics Hall of Fame.
The Flyers maintained control of the game throughout the second half. Montgomery scored eleven more points to bring his total to 23 and was the game’s leading scorer. The Flyers were able to run it up on the offensive end thanks to their defense. Dayton forced 15 turnovers and was able to turn those into 20 points off turnovers.
The moment of the game came late, as after Dayton Head Coach Anthony Grant emptied his bench, his son Makai Grant caught the ball in the corner and, as the shot clock expired, hit his first career three-point shot. The excitement got the best of Makai, however, as he received a technical foul on his celebration.
The 84-61 victory improved Dayton to 8-3; the North Florida Ospreys now fall to 2-8.
Dayton will face Florida State on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at UD Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and can be watched on CBS Sports Network.