A big difference in the contest came at the free throw line. BGSU shot just six free throws for the contest, knocking down only 2-of-6 (33.3 percent) overall. Dayton got to the free throw line for 29 shots and hit 21 (72%) for the game The hosts were 15-of-19 (78.9 percent) in the second half alone.
The Falcons were led by Zack Denny's game-high 16 points, as the sophomore guard was 7-of-12 from the floor overall. Richaun Holmes had nine points, 11 rebounds and three blocks before fouling out late in the contest. Six other Falcons scored between four and six points each, while Jovan Austin had a career-high five assists off the bench.
Dayton was led by Devon Scott's 15 points and 10 rebounds, as he was 6-of-7 from the field overall. Jordan Sibert contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals.
BGSU out-rebounded Dayton 39-37 for the game and hauled down 11 offensive boards that led to 15 second chance points – 10 more second chance points then Dayton.
The Falcons moved in front early thanks to seven quick points from Denny. His three-ball put BGSU up 9-4 with 14:58 to go in the first half.
UD trimmed the BGSU lead to just two points on two different occasions over the next three minutes of play. However, the Falcons had an answer for each Dayton run and built up a 10-point lead at 21-11 with a 7-2 run capped off by a two-handed slam from Holmes at the 7:49 mark.
Bowling Green maintained a lead and eventually took a 32-24 lead into the halftime break.
The second half opened up with a quick foul called on Holmes just 16 seconds into the frame, which set the tone for the final 20 minutes of play. Dayton outscored the Falcons 15-7 over the first six minutes of the half to tie the game up at 39-39 on the Flyers' lone three-pointer of the game from Sibert at the 14:18 mark.
BGSU quieted the UD Arena crowd with a 11-0 run over the next four minutes to pull back out in front by 11 at 50-39 on a corner three-pointer from Austin with 10:17 to go in regulation.
Having been stifled by the Falcons' defense over a 4:28 span, UD used the free throw line to get back into the contest. Dayton hit 9-of-10 foul shots over the next six minutes to knot the score back up at 52-52 with 3:36 left on the game clock.
After each team failed to score on its next three offensive possessions, UD went back to the free throw line at the 2:14 mark. Kendall Pollard hit the first of two free throw attempts to hand the Flyers their first lead of the game at 53-52.
Bowling Green missed its final three shot attempts over the final 2:14 of the game, while Dayton finished out going 3-of-4 from the free throw line to escape with a 56-52 non-conference win over the Falcons.
The Falcons outscored UD 32-28 in points in the paint, 14-12 in bench points and edged the Flyers 8-7 in points off turnovers.
BGSU shot 37.1 percent (23-of-62) from the field overall for the game, yet was only 8-of-30 (26.7 percent) in the second half. Dayton also shot 37 percent (17-of-46) from the floor overall as a team. Both teams struggled from long range, with BGSU going 4-of-17 (23.5 percent) and Dayton shooting 1-of-15 (6.7 percent).
Bowling Green (5-2) returns home to host Cleveland State on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. in the Stroh Center.
(Courtesy of BGSU Athletics/MRO Edit)