The Flyers broke open a close game with a 13-2 run from the 5:39 mark to the 1:29 mark. The Spiders committed six turnovers during that stretch. The Flyers made three straight field goals and 7 of 8 free throws in the same span.
Dayton (14-4, 5-1) pulled into a first-place tie with the Spiders (11-7, 5-1) and La Salle (11-7, 5-1). The Explorers beat Davidson 91-83 on Thursday. With the A-10 season halfway over, Dayton is 4-0 against teams in the top six.
This was the 1,600th victory in the history of Dayton basketball, which has been around for 111 seasons, and its 200th victory in 22 season in the A-10.
“It was a terrific game,” Dayton coach Archie Miller said. “Richmond, coming into the game, had our attention with what they’ve been doing in the league so far. I think everyone got a chance to see two of the best players in the conference in T.J. Cline and ShawnDre’ Jones. Cline is one of the most impressive and harder guys we’ve ever covered.”
Cline scored 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting. He added four assists and four rebounds but also committed five turnovers.
Jones, who averaged 16.8 points and had not scored fewer than nine points, had his worst game of the season. He missed all six of his field-goal attempts and scored his only point at the foul line.
“Darrell (Davis) was on him most of the game,” Miller said. “I thought for the most part he was in front of him. ShawnDre’ also had four or five attempts at the basket that he could have got fouled on or could have made it. I don’t know how many good looks he had from 3. I know he had a couple go in and out from the post. It wasn’t his night. They were 2 of 20 from 3. If we play them tomorrow, 16 of those could go in. It’s hard. Sometimes it’s being on the road and the environment.”
Richmond had been averaging 77.4 points in A-10 play. The Spiders scored a season-low 59 after scoring at least 61 in their first 17 games.
Dayton's defense lived up to its reputation as the best in the A-10 without its top defender. Senior guard Kyle Davis missed the game with a sprained ankle and foot bruise. He's the fourth starter to miss time this season. Miller said he likely won't play Sunday against Saint Louis.
Dayton is so used to injuries, it brushed off this latest piece of bad news. The Flyers made 7 of 14 3-pointers in the first half and led by as many as 13 points. Their halftime lead was 40-29.
Charles Cooke led UD with 17 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Scoochie Smith scored 14. Ryan Mikesell, Xeyrius Williams and Darrell Davis all scored 11.
“We just play our basketball,” Cooke said. “I’ve been out three games. Josh is out. (Kendall Pollard) was out. Everybody’s out. We just have to stick with it and keep playing. Next man up is literally the motto. We show that game after game with guys out of the lineup.”
Dayton slumped early in the second half and let Richmond tie the game twice in the first 10 minutes. Then UD seized control in the final six minutes with Pollard on the bench. He picked up his fourth foul with 6:27 to play and the Flyers leading 55-53. Cooke scored the next three points. Then a layup by Williams pushed the lead to 60-53 with 3:55 to play.
Richmond called a timeout and stopped Dayton’s run with a layup by De’Monte Buckingham only to see Dayton respond with seven straight points.
“In the last eight minutes of the game, I give our guys a lot of credit,” Miller said. “We got some key stops. We got some key baskets. We were also able to convert at the foul line, which is a big deal. It was a hard-fought win against a terrific program. They’re going to win a lot of games in this league with the way they play. We’re just thankful we were able to do it. Being at home is an added advantage.”
SUNDAY’S GAME
Saint Louis at Dayton, 2 p.m., CBS Sports Network, FM 95.7, AM 1290 WHIO
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