Dayton asserted its dominance over Loyola University Chicago from the outset, cruising to a 78-51 victory at UD Arena. De'Shayne Montgomery stole the show, scoring 21 points to pace the Flyers. His impressive performance was complemented by Javon Bennett's 19 points and Jaiun Simon's 14 points and 6 rebounds, as Dayton's offense clicked on all cylinders.
The first half saw Dayton take a slim 31-30 lead into the locker room, but the Flyers came out firing in the second half, outscoring Loyola Chicago 47-21. Montgomery and Bennett combined for 27 points in the second half, as Dayton's defense stifled the Ramblers' offense. Loyola Chicago's Miles Rubin was a bright spot, scoring 14 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Flyers' balanced attack.
Dayton's convincing win was a reflection of its superior talent and depth. The Flyers' 27-point margin of victory was a reflection of their ability to dictate the tempo and pace of the game. Rubin's strong performance was a notable exception for Loyola Chicago, which struggled to find consistency on offense. Kymany Houinsou and Deywilk Tavarez chipped in with 10 and 9 points, respectively, but the Ramblers' offense was ultimately unable to keep pace with Dayton's high-powered attack.
The win improves Dayton's record to 14-7, while Loyola Chicago falls to 5-17. While the outcome was not surprising given the teams' respective records, Dayton's performance was impressive nonetheless. The Flyers' ability to take care of business against a lesser opponent is a positive sign as they look to build momentum heading into the stretch run of the season.
In terms of resume implications, this game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for Dayton, which means it was a game they were expected to win. The Flyers' convincing victory should help to bolster their tournament chances, as they continue to accumulate wins against inferior opponents. For Loyola Chicago, the loss was classified as a Quadrant 2 game, which means it was a game they were not expected to win but still had some chance of pulling off an upset. While the loss is not ideal, it does not significantly harm the Ramblers' tournament chances, which were already slim given their 317 net ranking.
Ultimately, Dayton's dominant performance against Loyola Chicago is a reflection of the team's talent and depth. As the Flyers look to make a push for the tournament, they must continue to take care of business against lesser opponents and pull off some upsets against tougher foes. With Montgomery and company leading the charge, Dayton appears well-equipped to make some noise in the coming weeks.