FLYERS PROTECT THEIR HOUSE IN 57-43 WIN

DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton men's basketball team beat the Fordham Rams 57-45 at UD Arena on Wednesday behind an 18-point performance from junior Brian Roberts.

Senior Monty Scott and junior Norman Plummer each added 10 points and seven rebounds apiece for the Flyers, who won their 14th straight at home and improved their record to 15-9 overall and 5-5 in the Atlantic 10.

Despite the positive outcome on the scoreboard, it certainly wasn't a normal day at the office for the Flyers. With six inches of snow accumulating in the Dayton area in the past 24 hours and a serious traffic accident on I-75 just prior to game time, it seemed as if the Flyers were going to be playing before an empty house.

UD arena was approximately half-full when the starting line-ups were announced, but the Flyer Faithful started to pour in as the game went along. Eventually UD would report an official attendance of 11,853 fans.

Those who braved the snow and dense traffic were rewarded with a tough, physical game. It was also a game highlighted by strong defense and plenty of turnovers on both sides.

Dayton finished the night shooting 39 percent from the field with 11 turnovers, while the Rams scored with 35 percent efficiency and gave the ball away 14 times.

While the energy and passion were present, the action moved about as fast as the traffic did before the game. It took eight minutes for the Flyers to score their first 10 points, but as the Flyers chugged along so did the Rams.

The end result showed Dayton holding a 34-26 advantage at the half.

After Fordham's Marcus Stout scored on a lay-up to open the half, Dayton point guard Andres Sandoval, who was limited to just six minutes of play in the first half after being whistled for two early fouls, drilled a three to extend the Flyer lead to 11 points.

It looked as though the Flyers were determined to establish some kind of offensive rhythm, but the points didn't materialize and it was another slow scoring start. After seven total points, accounting for both teams in the first five minutes, UD called timeout at the 15:18 mark leading 37-30.

Things remained quiet until sophomore Charles Little scored on a put-back to send the Dayton lead back into double-digits at 45-35 with 7:51 to go.

Little scored again to push the advantage to 13 points with six and a half minutes to go, but Fordham's Sebastian Greene converted a three point play to bring the Rams back to within 10.

The lead would remain stagnant from that point as the Flyers would drain the clock the rest of the way.

Scott drove to the hole to put UD up by 14, its biggest lead of the game at 55-41, with two minutes to go. Roberts dropped in the Flyers last points with 46 seconds remaining.

Scott has scored in double figures in eight of his last nine games. Little finished the game with eight points and five rebounds off the bench.

The Flyers return to action on Saturday against the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies beginning at noon ET.