#11 Dayton Flyers 55

#3 Syracuse Orange 53

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

With under a minute to play in Saturdays game between Syracuse and Dayton, the Flyers led by 3. Devin Oliver threw a pass over to teammate Jordan Sibert. Sibert stood around 3 feet behind the three point arc, but was not fazed. He put up a shot, and nailed it giving Dayton a 6 point lead late in the game. The Flyers would hold on to upset the Orange, and now will head to the sweet 16.

Dayton came into the game riding a lot of momentum that they received in the previous round, where they knocked off in state rival Ohio State with a late shot. The game started off well for Dayton, they created a turnover on Syracuse’s first possession, and it led to a Khari Price three pointer on the other end. The first half would be played very defensively, with only 38 total points. The Flyers looked much better in the early stages, even jumping out to a 7 point lead, which would be the biggest of the game. Vee Sanford hit a jump shot with about a minute to go in the first, breaking an 18-18 tie before the break.

Jordan Sibert would make a three pointer early in the second half which were his first point of the game. The basket would put Dayton up by 3, but neither team could pull away. Dayton would make it a two possession game, but Syracuse would never let them lead by more than 5. The Orange would take their first lead of the game when Michael Gbinije would make a layup with about nine and a half to play. But only a few minutes later, Dayton would regain the lead, and hold on to it this time. Sibert would be the one to step up for the Flyers making plays on both defense and offense, and eventually making the three pointer that would make it a two possesion game. The Orange would bring it to within two, and had an opportunity to tie on their final possession, but Tyler Ennis’s game tying shot came off the front end of the rim winning the game for Dayton.

Jordan Sibert finished with 10 points and 4 rebounds for Dayton, with all of his points in the second half. Dyshawn Pierre was the Flyers leading scorer with 14 points, he would also pull down 6 boards. Dayton had trouble holding on to the ball, committing 16 turnovers and only getting 14 assists.

The regulars, Tyler Ennis and CJ Fair stepped up for the Orange. Ennis would lead all scorers with 19 points. Fair earned a double double with his 14 points and 10 rebounds. Fair also played well on the defensive end, earning 3 blocks and a steal. Gbinije also had a big day off of the bench with 8 points off of 4/5 shooting.

With the win, the Flyers advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 30 years.