Men’s Basketball Team Loses A-10 Final, 70-62
The University of Dayton men’s team fell to VCU, 70-62, in the Atlantic 10 Championship final at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The loss left the Flyers with a 23-11 record for the season. Dayton trailed by as many as 16 in the second half.
Game overview
VCU built a 40-25 lead by halftime. Dayton chipped away in the second half but could not erase the deficit. The Flyers held the Rams without a field goal over the final 8:17, yet never closed the gap to fewer than seven points.
VCU sealed the win at the free throw line and with late makes. A late three pushed the score to its final margin. The result marked the end of Dayton’s Atlantic 10 title push.
Key performers
Senior Javon Bennett led Dayton with 14 points. Sophomore Amaël L’Etang added 12 points and three assists. Junior De’Shayne Montgomery finished with eight points and eight rebounds.
Jordan Derkack grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds and scored nine points. Bennett and Derkack earned spots on the Atlantic 10 All-Tournament team. Bennett’s scoring pushed him to 28 double-digit games this season.
Statistics and trends
- Dayton shooting: 43.4% (23-of-53) overall.
- Dayton 3-point shooting: 33.3% (7-of-21).
- Dayton free throws: 52.9% (9-of-17).
- VCU shooting: 40.4% (23-of-57) overall.
- VCU 3-point shooting: 45.8% (11-of-24).
- VCU free throws: 68.4% (13-of-19).
- VCU three-point rate in first half: 57.1% (8-of-14).
- Dayton rebounds: 39, five more than VCU.
Game flow highlights
The Rams’ first-half shooting surge created the early cushion. Dayton produced several runs in the second half. Despite pressure, the Flyers could not complete the comeback.
Aftermath and next steps
Dayton’s postseason status will be clarified later this week. The team’s next scheduled game is at Bradley on March 18, 2026. That matchup is slated for 9:00 PM on ESPNU and WHIO Radio.
This report is published by Filmogaz.com. The coverage notes the Men’s Basketball A-10 Final and the 70-62 scoreline as central story elements.
