Dayton Overcomes Slow Start, Tops Bowling Green in Exhibition
(Photo via @daytonmbb Instagram)
Gabriel Ward | Sports Editor
DAYTON, Ohio — The University of Dayton men’s basketball team played its second of two exhibition games Monday evening as it took down the Bowling Green State University Falcons 90-59. This was the first matchup for the Flyers since the review of guard Adam Njie Jr.’s eligibility began.
The Falcons were able to keep themselves in the game throughout the first half as they hit multiple tough shots, highlighted by a Javontae Campbell logo 3 as the shot clock expired at the 18:30 mark in the first half.
A few moments later, there was a scary scene for Dayton fans, as with 15:31 remaining in the first half, Dayton forward Keonte Jones attempted to block a shot at the rim, but immediately grabbed his hand and went up the tunnel. However, he would return to the court 4 minutes later and immediately score at the rim to tie the game at 15.
The Falcons’ defense shut down the Flyers midway through the first half as Bowling Green went on an 11-0 run in just over two minutes, putting the Falcons up 28-20. The run was highlighted by 8 points from Javon Ruffin, who would finish the game as Bowling Green’s leading scorer with 20 points.
Dayton would close the deficit at the free throw line as Jaiun Simon would hit four free throws in the last 2:13 to make the score 30-27 at the half.
The Flyers offense found its groove in the second half as a Keonte Jones dunk was followed by a Bryce Heard steal and layup to put Dayton up 47-43 with 11:33 remaining in the second half. The Flyers continued to turn defense into offense the entire half, as UD was able to generate 11 points off of the Falcons’ second-half turnovers.
Javon Bennett led the way in the second half as his 18 points helped the Flyers pull away. Despite the game being tied at 43 with 12:36 remaining, Dayton would go on to outscore the Falcons 47-16 throughout the remainder of the game. Dayton’s offensive run was fueled by five 3-pointers in the final five minutes of the game, helping them to a 63-point second half.
The Flyers’ next game will also be their first regular-season matchup of the 2025-26 season as they face Canisius on Monday, Nov. 3, at UD Arena. The game will tip off at 7 p.m., and as of now, the game will not be televised.