The win sends UD (27-8) into Sunday’s round of 32, where it will face No. 3 seed Oklahoma, which beat No. 14 Albany 69-60. The UD-Oklahoma game tips at 6:10 p.m.
The victory also gives the Flyers five NCAA tournament wins since last year. Only Kentucky and Connecticut have more with six each.
UD and Providence (22-12) both looked a little sleepy to start the game, as the teams combined to miss 20 of the first 23 shots.
But the Flyers were able snap out of the sluggish start by getting to the free throw line 14 times in the first half to Providence’s one in taking a 28-25 lead at the break.
The Friars, on the other hand, never woke up against Dayton’s defense. Providence shot 33.3 percent (20 of 59) from the floor to finish nearly 20 points below its season average of 70.2
The only team that held the Friars to fewer points this year was the undefeated Kentucky Wildcats, who dealt the Friars a 58-38 loss Nov. 30.
The biggest difference for the Dayton offense in the second half was the ability to hit from long range. The Flyers made 6 of 13 3-pointers after the break, with Dyshawn Pierre (three) and Jordan Sibert (two) account for five of them.
Pierre finished with a game-high 20 points and one rebound shy of a double-double, while Sibert scored 15. Kyle Davis added a career-high nine rebounds and a career-high five steals to go along with six points and three assists.
Scoochie Smith also scored in double figures with 11.
Dayton finished 22 of 30 from the line, while the Friars were just 3 of 7.
Providence star LaDonte Henton scored 18 points, but they came on 7 of 26 shooting.
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