DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton shot 67 percent from the field in the first half, and 55.4 in the contest, as the Flyers topped the Northern Illinois University men's basketball team, 79-41, on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 4) at UD Arena. Elijah Weaver scored a game-high 16 points to pace the home team.
Anthony Crump (Inkster, Mich./Middle Tennessee),
Trendon Hankerson (Novi, MIch./Novi) and
Keshawn Williams (Chicago Heights, Ill./Tulsa) each scored seven points to lead NIU.
Dayton (6-3) raced out to an 11-2 start in the opening four minutes of the contest as Williams scored the lone basket early for the Huskies. The Flyers advantage grew to 21-6 as the home team opened 8-of-12 from the field.
Midway through the half the Huskies began to find some rhythm offensively as
Darweshi Hunter (Cincinnati, Ohio/Weber State) made a basket and a corner triple from Hankerson helped the Huskies cut into the Dayton advantage with just over eight minutes to play in the half.
After the quick start by the hosts, NIU played Dayton even for the remainder of the opening 20 minutes as the Flyers took a 41-22 lead into the break. DaRon Holmes II had 12 points to pace Dayton in the first half while Hankerson and Williams each scored seven for NIU.
The Flyers were 16-of-24 from the field in the first half, scoring 28 of their 41 points inside the paint.
Zion Russell (Upper Malboro, Md./National Christian Academy) and Crump paced NIU in the second half, with Russell scoring six points and Crump adding five.
NIU (2-6) committed just 13 turnovers against the Dayton press in the contest while forcing 18 miscues by the Flyers.
Dayton had four players finish in double figures as Holmes had 14, Koby Brea scored 12 and Malachi Smith added 11 to go along with Weaver's 16 points.
After a week off for finals, NIU will return to action at Chicago State on Monday, Dec. 13. The Huskies will return home to the NIU Convocation Center on Wednesday, Dec. 22, when they host Indiana State.
Huskie Flex Plans are now available for the 2021-22 basketball season. Purchase vouchers for $6 each and use them throughout the season to attend Huskie men's and women's basketball home games. Simply redeem vouchers for tickets at the box office prior to the game. Tickets can be purchased online at NIUHuskies.com/MyHuskies or by calling the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225).
