Dayton improved its regular-season victory total for the third straight season under coach Tamika Williams-Jeter. They were 6-20 in the regular season in the 2022-23 season and 11-18 last season, finishing 1-1 in the A-10 tournament both seasons.
Dayton will play No. 11 seed Virginia Commonwealth (12-18, 6-12) or No. 14 seed La Salle (9-22, 3-15) in the second round at 7 p.m. Thursday. Those teams play at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the first round. The tournament will take place at the Henrico Sports and Events Center in Henrico, Va.
Dayton beat last-place St. Bonaventure (6-23, 2-16) with a 45-25 rebounding advantage. The Flyers had 16 offensive rebounds to St. Bonaventure’s one and had a 21-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Dayton also posted its second-best free-throw percentage (25 of 28, 89.3%).
Smith made 6 of 9 field goals and 8 of 10 free throws. She posted her 13th double-double of the season.
Three other players scored in double figures: Ivy Wolf (16); Rikki Harris (15); and Nayo Lear (10).
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