Dayton-Fordham: Flyers Continue to Struggle, Narrowly Defeat Rams

The Dayton Flyers returned home and hoped to bounce back against a 2-12 Rams team after a disappointing loss at UMass.  Instead, the Flyers shot lights-out—as in they might have shot better had the lights actually been out.

Fordham led from 3-2 until nearly halftime, when UD sat on a three-point lead.  The Rams outplayed the Flyers in virtually every aspect.  Fordham had more blocks and higher shooting percentages through 20 minutes.

UD missed seven free throws in the first half and shot 38 percent from the floor.  Many of its free throws were painful to watch.

Chris Wright, UD's best player, was virtually silent.  He was shut out in the first half and scored just seven points in the game.

Immediately after the break, the Flyers were able to enlarge their three-point lead into an 11-point advantage.  Then, a Fordham timeout proved pivotal. 

The Rams emerged from the huddle and drained three consecutive NBA-range threes.  Suddenly, the visitors were within range to tie or take the lead.

Poor defense left the paint unguarded, and Fordham penetrated for an easy two points...until Charles Little flew in and blocked the lay-up off the glass.  Dayton would then go up by seven.  It was the biggest play of the game—or so we thought.  

Rob Lowry fouled the three-point shooter, and Fordham coolly sank all three from the charity stripe.  UD missed two foul shots.  With 12 seconds left, Fordham again nailed a long trey to cut the deficit to one.

Then, UD committed a turnover on the inbound pass.  Fordham earned two more clutch points to take the lead, their first of the half.

Finally, and inexplicably, the Fordham defense allowed Lowry to dribble his way down the court and score an easy two.  The Rams never got another opportunity.

The final score: trouble at the University of Dayton.  There is no way to dress up this victory as a gritty conference victory.  In the last two games, UD has lost on the road to a then 5-8 UMass and survived a one-point home game with a two-win Fordham squad.

Something is clearly afoot, and I would not be surprised by another midseason letdown by the Flyers.