In a shocking turn of events, Rhode Island pulled off a stunning upset over Dayton, defeating the Flyers 81-76 at UD Arena. This victory is a significant boost to the Rams' resume, particularly given the preseason expectations and the fact that CHD Scout had predicted a 6.1-point win for Dayton. Instead, Rhode Island's Jahmere Tripp stole the show, leading his team with 24 points and 8 rebounds to secure the impressive road win.
The game got off to a slow start for Rhode Island, who trailed 39-31 at halftime. However, the Rams came out strong in the second half, outscoring Dayton 33-25 to take the lead. Bryce Heard, Dayton's top scorer, did his best to keep the Flyers in the game, finishing with 15 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Rams' balanced attack. De'Shayne Montgomery and Amaël L'Etang also chipped in with 14 and 13 points, respectively, for Dayton, but Rhode Island's depth and determination ultimately paid off.
Tyler Cochran was another key contributor for Rhode Island, adding 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists to the team's effort. RJ Johnson also made a significant impact, scoring 14 points to help seal the deal. The Rams' ability to spread the scoring and make crucial plays late was the difference-maker in this upset victory.
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The loss is a significant blow to Dayton's tournament hopes, as it marks a Quadrant 3 defeat for the Flyers. On the other hand, Rhode Island's win is a Quadrant 2 victory, which will undoubtedly boost their resume and potentially improve their seeding in the tournament. Given the current state of the college basketball landscape, this win could be a crucial factor in the Rams' postseason chances.
It's worth noting that CHD Scout's prediction of a Dayton win by 6.1 points was well off the mark, highlighting the unpredictability of college basketball. This upset serves as a reminder that anything can happen on any given night, and teams can't afford to take any opponent lightly.
As the season progresses, Rhode Island's win over Dayton will be remembered as a pivotal moment in their campaign. The Rams have proven that they can compete with and beat tough opponents on the road, which will undoubtedly give them confidence heading into their remaining games. Meanwhile, Dayton must regroup and refocus to get their season back on track. For now, Rhode Island's impressive upset victory will be the talk of the college basketball world, and it will be interesting to see how both teams respond to this result in the coming weeks. With this win, Rhode Island has significantly improved their tournament chances, and they want to build on this momentum to make a deep run in the postseason.