Ud Basketball: Dayton Survives St. Bonaventure to Reach A-10 Semifinals

ud basketball had a tense finish Friday afternoon in Pittsburgh, where the University of Dayton Flyers outlasted St. Bonaventure 68-63 in the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament quarterfinals to move into Saturday’s semifinals against Saint Louis.

Ud Basketball Gets Key Plays From Bennett, Derkack, and L’Etang

Javon Bennett led the way with a game-high 27 points, shooting 8-for-12 from the field, 6-for-10 from three-point range, and 5-for-6 at the foul line. His scoring wasn’t just about volume, but timing, with key baskets arriving as the Bonnies kept the game close down the stretch.

With Dayton leading 61-57 and 3: 49 left, Bennett delivered a highlight-reel finish by driving across the lane, spinning 360 degrees, and laying in a basket that pushed the Flyers toward the finish line. Bennett described the move simply: “The defender cut me off, so I hit him with a secondary move. It was just natural for me to do that. ”

After that, Jordan Derkack helped close out the win at the foul line. He scored Dayton’s final five points and went 5-for-5 on free throws to keep St. Bonaventure at arm’s length in the closing moments.

Amaël L’Etang posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Early, L’Etang and Bennett hit back-to-back threes as Dayton jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead.

How the Flyers Closed Out a 68-63 Quarterfinal

The quarterfinal played out as a tight battle, with Dayton needing execution late to secure the five-point win. Bennett’s late spin-and-finish gave the Flyers breathing room, but the game still required composure in the final possessions.

Derkack’s repeated drives drew contact, sending him to the line in crucial moments. Those free throws accounted for Dayton’s final points and helped preserve the margin as the Bonnies tried to claw back in the final minutes.

What’s Next: Semifinal vs. Saint Louis on Saturday

The win earned the fourth-seeded Flyers a place in Saturday afternoon’s Atlantic 10 tournament semifinal against top-seeded Saint Louis. The teams split two games this season, setting up a high-stakes rematch with a spot in the conference tournament final on the line.

For Dayton, the quarterfinal showed a familiar formula: Bennett providing the scoring punch, teammates delivering timely support, and late-game execution sealing a survive-and-advance win.