Bradley Falls to Dayton

The University of Dayton defeated Bradley University by a margin of 14 points, 80-66, in a contest that was more closely contested than the final score suggests. At halftime, Dayton held a 17-point advantage, leading 47-30, which proved to be a decisive cushion. The second half saw Bradley outscore Dayton, but the Braves were unable to overcome the deficit, scoring 36 points to the Flyers' 33.

Despite Bradley's stronger second-half performance, the gap established in the first half ultimately separated the two teams. With Dayton ranked 69th and Bradley ranked 113th in the NET rankings, the Flyers' victory is not entirely surprising, yet the margin of victory underscores the competitive nature of the game. The difference in the final score can be attributed to the cumulative effect of possessions, with Dayton's overall performance proving to be the distinguishing factor in the 14-point win.

A 25-point performance from Javon Bennett set the tone for Dayton, with his 8-13 field goal shooting and 5-10 three-point shooting proving particularly effective. His ability to score from beyond the arc, making 5 of his 10 three-point attempts, was a key factor in the game's outcome. The freshman standout De'Shayne Montgomery also made significant contributions, with his 14 points and 1 block helping to bolster Dayton's offense and defense.

Erupting for 25 points, Javon Bennett's scoring was complemented by the efficient play of Bryce Heard, who scored 12 points on a perfect 4-4 field goal shooting. With his 2-2 three-point shooting, Bryce Heard provided a secondary scoring threat that Bradley struggled to contain. De'Shayne Montgomery's 5-6 free throw shooting also helped to seal the win for Dayton, as his clutch performances at the line contributed to the team's 80-66 victory.

Finishing with 19 points on 7-15 shooting from Alex Huibregtse wasn't enough to keep Bradley in it, as his scoring efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Dayton's overall performance. His five three-pointers, which accounted for the majority of his points, served as a highlight in an otherwise disappointing outing for the Braves. The team's leading scorer, Huibregtse, also chipped in with three assists, but his contributions were not sufficient to overcome the deficit.

Despite the loss, Montana Wheeler's efficient shooting was a notable aspect of Bradley's offense, with his 3-5 field goal mark and 3-4 free throw shooting standing out as a rare bright spot. His four assists also demonstrated an ability to create for his teammates, but the overall scoring output from Wheeler, which totaled 10 points, was not enough to make a significant impact on the game's outcome. Jaquan Johnson's struggles from the field, where he shot 2-11, were a major factor in limiting Bradley's scoring potential, as his eight points and five rebounds were not enough to offset his shooting woes.

Beyond the standout performances, the remainder of the players on both teams largely adhered to their established seasonal trends.

The pre-game prediction, which favored Bradley by 5.4 points, proved to be incorrect as Dayton emerged victorious by a margin of 14 points. This discrepancy suggests that the model underestimated Dayton's performance and overestimated Bradley's ability to contain them. The actual result was a significant departure from the predicted outcome, indicating that the game unfolded in a manner that was not anticipated by the pre-game forecast.

A closer examination of the team statistics reveals that Dayton's exceptional shooting efficiency was a crucial factor in their victory. Their effective field goal percentage of 61.5% was significantly higher than their season average, indicating a strong performance in terms of shot selection and conversion. Additionally, Dayton's ability to limit their own offensive rebounding opportunities, with an OREB rate of 12.0%, suggests that they were able to capitalize on their initial shot attempts and minimize Bradley's chances for second-chance points. These factors, particularly Dayton's shooting efficiency, played a significant role in deciding the outcome of the game in their favor.

The outcome of this game has significant implications for both teams' postseason positioning, as they each vie for their conference tournament auto-bid. For Dayton, the win strengthens their position in the Atlantic 10 standings, and with a 24-11 record, they remain a formidable contender to claim the conference tournament title. In contrast, Bradley's loss drops them further behind in the Missouri Valley Conference standings, making their path to the conference tournament championship more challenging. Given their respective NET rankings and Quad 2 performance, it's clear that both teams have struggled against higher-tier opponents, but Dayton's ability to win this game demonstrates a slight edge in terms of program trajectory. As the conference tournaments approach, the Flyers' experience in close games, like this Quad 2 victory, will be crucial, and it's likely that their season will be defined by their ability to capitalize on this momentum, making them the team to beat in the A10 tournament.