The Basketball Tournament: Red Scare advances to regional final on game-ending dunk

Devin Oliver followed up a missed layup by Kyle Davis with a dunk, giving the team of Dayton alumni an 80-78 victory against Mid-American Unity in the second round at Capital University.

The victory means the Red Scare will meet Carmen’s Crew, a team of former Ohio State Buckeyes, at noon Sunday. Carmen’s Crew beat Big X 89-75 in the second regional semifinal Saturday.

Red Scare vs. Carmen’s Crew will be a a rematch of sorts from the 2014 NCAA tournament first-round game. Dayton beat Ohio State 60-59 on a last-second shot by Vee Sanford. Ohio State’s Aaron Craft missed a shot at the final buzzer in his final college game.

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Sanford and Craft, who have played against each other in pro basketball in France, will play against each other again Sunday. The winner advances to the quarterfinals. The final three rounds are held in Chicago.

Dayton trailed 72-71 entering the Elam Ending. At that point, eight points were added to leading team’s score. The first team to 80 would win the game.

» PHOTOS: Red Scare in action in first round

Mid-American Unity’s Jesse Hardin Jr. had a chance to win the game at the free-throw line after being fouled on a 3-point attempt but made only 1 of 3. Kendall Pollard then had a chance to win the game for the Red Scare by making two free throws but missed both.

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That set up Mid-American Unity’s final possession. D.J. Cooper missed a 3-pointer. Davis grabbed the rebound and went the other way on the fast break as Oliver followed. An arena full of Dayton fans erupted as Oliver dunked and raced the other way in celebration.

Oliver led the Red Scare with 22 points. Sanford scored 17. Darrell Davis had 14. Kyle Davis added 11.