Dayton Dominates Second Half to Claim Victory Over Fordham: Highlights and Key Moments

The University of Dayton men’s basketball team pulled away in the second half to secure a 93-76 victory over Fordham.

Bronx-native Malachi Smith led the Flyers with 18 points, contributing five assists and going a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range.

Dayton shot an impressive 53% from the field, and they really turned it on in the second half with 57% shooting.

Alongside Smith, Javon Bennett scored 16 points, while Zed Key and Enoch Cheeks each added 14. Amaël L’Etang kicked off the scoring with seven quick points, ending the game with 11.

This win improved Dayton’s record to 17-8 overall and 7-5 in the Atlantic 10 conference.

The game was evenly matched in the first half, ending in a 48-48 tie. Bennett opened the second half with a jumper, but it was Smith who took charge. He scored 10 points in a row, giving the Flyers a 60-55 advantage with 15:22 left.

A three-pointer from Posh Alexander pushed the lead into double digits at 70-60 with nine and a half minutes to go. Cheeks followed with six straight points, and Bennett capped it off with another three-pointer to extend the lead to 83-70, and Dayton maintained control from there.

The Flyers will host Duquesne next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the UD Arena, with pre-game coverage starting an hour earlier.