UD Men’s Basketball Falls Just Short on the Big Stage, Losing 90-84 to Kansas

Michael Crouchley
Sports Editor

Photo of Ryan Mikesell (cover photo) from earlier this season. Courtesy of Atticus Hughes 

A great weekend comes to a tough close, as Dayton men’s basketball falls 90-84 in overtime to the #4 Kansas Jayhawks.

It was a battle of two styles from the very beginning, with Dayton firing threes and Kansas dominating the paint. 57 percent of Dayton’s points came from threes, and over 50 percent of Kansas’ points came in the paint.

Dayton redshirt sophomore Obi Toppin has been nearly unstoppable this season, but he didn’t even attempt a shot for the first 15 minutes of the game.

Kansas was sending double-teams, and even some triple-teams, every time Toppin touched the ball. This opened the rest of the floor for Dayton’s shooters, led by redshirt junior Ibi Watson. 

See also- Obi Toppin Is Turning Heads Across the Country. How Far Can He Take UD?

Watson had 11 points in the first half, and finished the game with four three-pointers and 16 points.

The second half stayed close throughout, with Dayton’s biggest lead of eight coming after a 9-0 run. Two threes from junior Jalen Crutcher led the run.

The rest of the game was back-and-forth, with Kansas taking a three-point lead late. Crutcher hit a step-back three-pointer with three seconds left to play, tying the game at 73.

In overtime, fifth-year graduate student Ryan Mikesell scored Dayton’s first seven points in overtime, but Kansas’ Azubuike was better, scoring nine. The final score was 90-84.

The Flyers put up a great fight in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, just barely falling short of the championship. One thing is for certain, Dayton turned a lot of heads around the country during the competition.

The Flyers will be back at UD Arena next Tuesday to take on Houston Baptist at 7:00 p.m.

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