Providence vs. Dayton: Score and Twitter Reaction from March Madness 2015

The only 2015 NCAA tournament upset of Friday's 16-game slate was saved for last, as No. 11 seed Dayton pulled away from No. 6 seed Providence 66-53 to advance to the round of 32.

A relentless defensive performance from Dayton put a lid on the Friars' basket all night. The No. 6 seed was held to just 20-of-59 (33.9 percent) shooting in a tight affair that saw no team lead by more than seven until the final 10 minutes.

Not only did the Flyers' win mark the only upset of Friday, but it also made certain that the day wouldn't make history:

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Dayton didn't wow offensively by any means, but it pulled in front throughout the second half on opportune three-pointers from Jordan Sibert and Dyshawn Pierre—who combined for 35 points and canned three long balls apiece. 

The Friars only trailed by three after a sluggish first half and cut the deficit again to three with six minutes left, but every punch was answered by a Flyers counterpunch. LaDontae Henton led Providence with 18 points, but he and Kris Dunn combined for an 11-of-39 shooting performance.

Although nobody should be surprised after Dayton's run to the Elite Eight last season, CBS Sports' Seth Davis uncovered a list of reasons to marvel in the Flyers' feats:

As for CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein, he just marveled at Dayton head coach Archie Miller's Swiss Army knife style of coaching:

The margin of victory made for Dayton's biggest in the Big Dance in generations, as ESPN Stats and Info uncovered:

The opening couple of minutes resembled the rock fight that was to come, with Dayton missing 10 of its first 11 shots from the field to start the game. Providence also missed nine straight early on, after starting 2-of-3. The New York Times' Brendan Prunty had an idea as to why the teams were slow out of the gates:

The Flyers' stifling defense left Providence on pace for just 10 first-half points midway through the frame. But things started to open up as the first half wore along and fast-break options became numerous.

Both teams began connecting just before the break, and Dayton took a 28-25 at halftime, per The Associated Press' Ralph D. Russo:

A late three-pointer from Sibert seemed to set the tone for the second half. A barrage of long balls put the Flyers in front early in the final frame, and a continued defensive edge kept them there as they led 44-35 with 10 minutes left.

At that point, it was fair to question whether another point was even needed for the Flyers to pull out the win, as CBS Sports' Jerry Palm joked (as it turned out, he was wrong):

The Friars pulled it to within three one last time with just over six minutes left, but while trailing 50-42 a bizarre technical was called on Providence head coach Ed Cooley, as Hoopville.com's Phil Kasiecki observed:

The game was arguably out of reach given Dayton's defensive dominance, but Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel couldn't help but notice the referees making another head-scratching call:

The Flyers will undoubtedly enter Sunday's meeting with Oklahoma brimming with confidence following two wins in three nights, but the Sooners will present a big challenge—literally. TaShawn Thomas and Ryan Spangler will be a handful for a Dayton squad that lacks size in the post.

But Dayton's defense has nullified that disadvantage all season, and that same defense figures to give Big 12 Player of the Year Buddy Hield a tough time like it did to Dunn and Henton. If that happens and the Flyers stand their own ground down low, a return Sweet 16 trip is likely in their future.

Whether that happens or not, Friday's win proved what was already made clear two days prior—it was a joke that the Flyers received the tournament's last at-large bid.