You thought Dayton was finished?
Just two days after taking down in-state rival #6 Ohio State, the #11 Dayton Flyers have taken down another college basketball powerhouse with a 55-53 victory over the #3 Syracuse Orange. This game came down to the final minutes as Dayton sealed the victory with clutch free throws. This victory gives Dayton a trip to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1984.
Syracuse guard Tyler Ennis missed a three point attempt with the Orange down two in the final seconds. Ennis was getting to the basket with ease in the last four minutes of the game but missed two jumpshots in the final minute with the game on the line.
The Dayton Flyers are this year’s Cinderella team. After finishing the regular season 22-9 and an early exit from the Atlantic 10 Tournament with a loss to St Joseph’s, Dayton is going above and beyond everyone’s expectations in the Big Dance. Dyshawn Pierre led the way for the Flyers with 14 points in the win.
Shooting 0-10 from three, Syracuse is taking an early departure from the NCAA Tournament after making the Final Four last season. Since starting the season 25-0, Syracuse has gone 3-6 since. This is an extremely disappointing end to the Orange’s great season as everyone had Syracuse as the team to beat a month ago.
Dayton will face the winner of tomorrow’s match up between #10 Stanford and #2 Kansas game. The Flyers will play the winner on Thursday in Memphis, TN in the Sweet 16.
-Patrick Hazel (@pattywack25)
