By Scott McAdams
Special to FOX Sports Ohio
January 9, 2011
In their second Atlantic 10 contest the Flyers travelled to Massachusetts to take on the Minutemen. The home team prevailed and the Flyers fall to 1-1 in conference play, 13-4 overall. 55-50 was the final score in Amherst.
Both teams played a sloppy first half and shots weren't falling on either end of the court. The Flyers shot 28% from the floor while the Minutemen shot just 30% on their home court.
After committing two early fouls, Chris Wright had to take a seat after just six and a half minutes of play. Devin Searcy also found a spot on the bench in early foul trouble.
With Wright and Searcy on the bench the Flyers struggled mightily on the offensive end and on the boards. The score at halftime was 26-18. The rebounding was even more one-sided as the minutemen went into the break with 28 boards to the Flyers 16.
The second half had a similar theme, ugly.
Through seven minutes their was one made field goal between the two parties.
The Flyers were one of 16 from long range when Luke Fabrizius knocked one down with 12 minutes remaining and gave the team some life.
At the 11:42 mark UMass led 35-28 and still hadn't made a field goal in the second half.
The drought ended for the Minutemen when Sampson Carter hit a long two-pointer to give his team a nine point lead, 40-31.
But stingy defensive play for the Flyers kept the game within reach. Free throws by Paul Williams and Josh Benson made it a five point game with 3:30 remaining.
Three point baskets cancelled each other out on the ensuing possessions for either team and gave Paul Williams his 12 point of the game to lead the Flyers.
The closing minutes were cluttered with desperation three's and free throws, by the Flyers and Minutemen respectively.
Massachusetts finished 29-36 from the charity stripe and hit them when they had to. In their opening conference game the Minutemen gave their fans a victory.
Dayton continues A-10 play when they return home Wednesday to take on St. Joe's.
