Dayton Flyers improve to 9-1 with eighth double-digit victory

North Texas gets hot in second half but doesn’t get closer than nine
Dayton's Jalen Crutcher scores against North Texas on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, at UD Arena.

Credit: David Jablonski - Staff Writer

Credit: David Jablonski - Staff Writer

Dayton's Jalen Crutcher scores against North Texas on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, at UD Arena.

The No. 13 Dayton Flyers, playing their first game with their highest Associated Press ranking since 1967, survived a strong outside shooting performance by North Texas, improving to 9-1 with a 71-58 victory Tuesday at UD Arena.

» PHOTOS: Flyers vs. Mean Green

North Texas (4-7) missed all four of its 3-point attempts in the first half and then made 9 of 15 in the second half. Still, it got no closer than nine points after halftime and trailed by double digits for most of the game.

Dayton has now won eight games by 10 points or more since a season-opening 86-81 victory against Indiana State.

» DAYTON RISING: Highest ranking since 1967Top 10 in first NET ranking | Getting ranked easier than staying ranked for UD in last two decades

Jalen Crutcher and Ryan Mikesell led the Flyers with 16 points. Obi Toppin scored a season-low 11 and led the Flyers with seven rebounds. Toppin and Trey Landers each had six assists.

Dayton made 8 of 21 3-pointers (38.1 percent) and 16 of 27 shots from 2-point range. All nine Dayton players who saw action scored at least two points.

HALFTIME RECAP

Dayton held North Texas to 32 percent shooting and forced 10 turnovers, building a 34-19 halftime lead.

Dayton took a 2-0 lead on a floater by Crutcher on its first possession and led the entire half. Crutcher scored nine points.

Mikesell had seven points. Toppin and Ibi Watson each scored five. Jordy Tshimanga picked up two quick fouls after entering the game but stayed on the court and then scored four straight points.

» ALUMNI NEWS: Former Flyer finds home in G League

Nine players saw action for Dayton in the first half. Everyone but Rodney Chatman and Jhery Matos scored. Chase Johnson missed his second straight game with an illness.

Dayton shot 46 percent from the field and 27 percent (3 of 11) from 3-point range.

About the Author