By Matthew Kwitowski, Sports Staffer
DAYTON, Ohio — The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team erased a 13-point first half deficit but fell 72-70 to Dayton on Tuesday night at UD Arena.
Both teams scored 22 points and could not find an edge during the first 13 minutes of action. Bonaventure redshirt junior guard Dasonte Bowen scored 10 points.
The Flyers used an 8-0 run to create separation from Bonaventure.
The Bonnies kept the game tight at the start of the half, but Dayton went into halftime with an 11-point advantage.
The Bonnies erased Dayton’s 13-point lead with a 14-0 run to start the second half. They took their first lead since 12:21 mark in the first half.
Both teams went back and forth, with neither side pulling away.
The Flyers went eight minutes without a field goal, but the Bonnies committed seven consecutive fouls to keep them in the game.
Bonaventure used an 8-2 run to take a three-point lead with three minutes left.
Dayton regained the lead before senior forward Frank Mitchell went to the free throw line with 13 seconds remaining. Mitchell made both free throws, tying the game at 70. 11 seconds later, Flyers senior guard Jordan Derkack went to the free throw. Derkack made both shots to seal the win.
Bonaventure had five players score in double digits, led by junior guard Buddy Simmons II with 17 points.
The Bonnies fall to 13-10 (2-8, A-10), while Dayton improves to 15-8 (6-4, A-10).
Bonaventure stays on the road to face Fordham University on Saturday. The Flyers travel to Virginia Commonwealth University on Friday to face the Rams. Bonaventure’s game will air on ESPN+, and radio coverage can be on the Bonnies Online Network, 100.1 FM Bradford & Olean, 1340 AM Jamestown, 106.9 FM Hornell, and 92.1 FM Rochester.
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