DAYTON – The University of Dayton women’s basketball team fought hard to overcome Providence College on Thursday night to take the win 65-61.
Dayton advances to 4-1 on the season while Providence moves to 2-3 overall.
GAME BREAKDOWN
1st Quarter: Dayton 11, Providence 17
- Without wasting any time, the Friars established the tone by making the first layup.
- Graduate student Rikki Harris responded quickly, tying the game at 2-2 with a basket in the first forty-five seconds.
- As the Flyers struggled to establish their rhythm, senior Ivy Wolf used her skill at the paint to thread her way through defenders and cut the lead to 4-6.
- The Flyers were looking for a spark and were 2-of-6 from the field by the first timeout, which came at 4:58.
- Freshman Molly O’Riordan provided that fire by stepping up from beyond the arc and making a crucial three-pointer to cut the Friars’ advantage to 7–12.
2nd Quarter: Dayton 22, Providence 32
- Sophomore Ajok Maol ignited the Flyers’ offense with a beautiful layup to start the second quarter.
- Freshman Olivia Leung showed poise at the free-throw line shortly after, sinking both of her attempts.
- Senior Arianna Smith took a defensive stance and was sent to the free-throw line after a crucial charge. She added to the Flyers’ momentum by making one of her three attempts.
- Wolf made a huge three-pointer at 4:35 with the clock running out, thrilling the crowd and bringing the Flyers within striking distance at 19–25. With the score at 19-27, the Friars held their lead, though, forcing a Flyers timeout at 3:33.
- Following the timeout, Majol scored, this time from beyond the arc, putting the Flyers back within single figures and providing them with a much-needed boost as the quarter came to a close.
3rd Quarter: Dayton 44, Providence 48
- Graduate student Nicole Stephens, a graduate student, quickly started the Flyers’ offense by cutting through and making a strong layup to begin the third quarter
- Harris took over and made consecutive three-pointers with icy accuracy at 26-32.
- Smith rebounds and shoots it right back up to push the Flyers to only four down from the Friars, making the smallest gap all night.
- Smith charges down the court to make a fierce layup, going back-to-back layups making it a one-point game.
- Harris takes a hard-hit foul, yet still makes the shot to make it 38-40.
- A technical foul on Wolf, she shouts back by making both of her shots.
4th Quarter: Dayton 65, Providence 61
- Madol opened the final frame with a layup in the first 13 seconds.
- Wolf once again closes in on the gap putting the Flyers only two points behind with 7:30 remaining.
- Leung makes a powerful layup, taking the leaf for the first time 51-50.
- Wolf puts the Flyers ahead once again with a powerful three-pointer.
- Leung swishes a three to put the Flyers ahead the most they have been all night, by two points.
- Wolf keeps everyone on their toe making both shots of her free throws putting the Flyers ahead 65-61 with less than a minute remaining and securing the win!
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
16 – Ivy Wolf led the team with 16 points for the Flyers tonight.
10 – Arianna Smith dominated the glass with 10 rebounds.
13 – Olivia Leung scored a career-high 13 points and had 11 points in the fourth quarter.
5, 5, 5 – Stephens led the team with five assists and added five points and five rebounds.
64.3% – Dayton shot 64.3 percent in the crucial third quarter to start its rally.
UP NEXT
Dayton is heading to Nashville on Monday, Nov. 25 to play Maryland Eastern Shore. The Flyers and Hawks are set to tip off at 12 p.m. ET.
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