Dayton, Ohio --- In a battle of contrasting styles, Delaware State's ball-control offense allowed the Hornets to stay close in the first half, but Dayton's up-tempo style prevailed in the second half in the Flyers' 62-42 victory at UD Arena Wednesday evening.
DSU dropped its third straight game to fall to 1-3 on the season, while Dayton improved to 2-0.
Chris Wright was high scorer for the Flyers with a game-high 18 points. Wright was 7-for-14 from the field, including several dunks that brought the crowd of 11,906 to its feet.
Donald Johnson was the only Delaware State player in double-figures with 11 points. Johnson has led the Hornets in scoring in each of the last three games. Arturo DuBois, who sat out Monday's loss to Lehigh after undergoing oral surgery earlier in the day, added nine points and a game-high eight rebounds.
“I thought we stuck to the game plan and hung tough in the first half,” said Delaware State head coach Greg Jackson. “Dayton's size and strength wore us down in the second half. Overall, I'm pleased with the effort, and the fact that we took a few steps forward tonight.”
The Hornets controlled the pace of the game in the early going, and opened up a 7-6 lead on a lay up by DuBois with 16:06 left in the first half. The score was 10-10 when Dayton began to take control. Wright capped off a 7-0 run with a running dunk to give the Flyers a 17-10 lead with 6:52 left in the half. Wright scored consecutive baskets to give Dayton a 21-11 lead with 5:48 remaining in the half. Delaware State responded with an 8-2 run, and pulled to within 23-19 on a basket by DuBois with 3:01 left in the half. Johnson hit two three-point shots during the DSU spurt.
Dayton led 28-21 at intermission.
Wright led the Flyers with 12 points, while Johnson was high scorer for the Hornets with six at the break.
Dayton scored the first nine points of the second half, and opened up a 37-21 lead on a lay up by Chris Johnson with 14:15 left to play. The Hornets were scoreless in the second half until Fred Bouie hit a jumper with 13:01 left.
The Flyers opened up a 43-23 lead on a three-pointer by Johnson with 11:59 remaining. Dayton opened up its biggest lead, 59-31, on a three-pointer by Mickey Perry with 3:39 left to play.
Delaware State outscored Dayton 11-3 the rest of the way.
