Woes continue for Flyers men’s basketball during late collapse in third straight home upset loss
DaRon Holmes II (left, No. 15), Toumani Camara (No. 2, middle) and R.J. Blakney (right) help up Elijah Weaver (No. 0, on floor) during the Flyers’ 87-81 loss to Austin Peay Saturday. Photo courtesy of Keegan Gupta, Flyer News.
Peter Burtnett | Sports Editor
In their worst home stretch since 1995, the Dayton Flyers men’s basketball team has now lost three straight at UD Arena after Saturday’s 87-81 loss to Austin Peay.
For the first time this season, the Flyers had a strong first half offensively, leading the Governors 46-38. In the first half, the Flyers shot 17-26 (65.4 percent) from the field and got to the free throw line for 12 free throws (made 11).
The second half saw the Governors start on a 7-0 run in the first five minutes to cut the deficit to five. However, even while shooting 2-10, the Flyers were able to hold onto a 62-53 lead with 11:05 remaining in the game.
But over the next five minutes, Austin Peay outscored Dayton 17-9 to cut the lead to just one. During this stretch, the Flyers turned the ball over once and made four of seven field goals but still allowed the Governors back into the game.
The Flyers got the lead back up to six after a fast break field goal by sophomore forward Toumani Camara with 4:40 left in the game.
From that 77-71 lead, the Flyers allowed a fast break layup, redshirt junior guard Elijah Weaver turned the ball over twice on bad passes, and the Governors made two free throws and a three to tie the game at 78 with 2:46 left in the game.
Down the stretch, the Flyers struggled from the field, missing nine of ten field goal attempts after the Camara layup. The Governors capitalized, finishing the game on a 14-3 run to close an 87-81 win.
Camara led the Flyers with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in the six-point loss.
Now at 1-3, the Flyers head into the ESPN Events Invitational in Orlando, Fla., where they will start against Miami, Fla., on Thursday at noon. Depending on their result, the Flyers will then play either the winner or loser of North Texas/Kansas.
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