Dayton edges Vanderbilt, 71-66

Nov. 18, 2012

Box Score

DAYTON, Ohio — The lead changed nine times, but it was Dayton that was able to hold on for a 71-66 victory over No. 13/16 Vanderbilt on Sunday, November 18, at UD Arena. The Commodores fell to 3-1, while the Flyers improved to 4-0.

Vanderbilt got a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds from senior Tiffany Clarke in the effort. Christina Foggie contributed 15 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Four players in double figures led the Flyers. Andrea Hoover was their leading scorer with 14 points, Jodie Cornelie and Amber Dean each contributed 12 points, while Cassie Sant added 10.

While the teams traded baskets early, Dayton used an 8-0 run to open up an 18-11 lead. After the Commodores cut the lead to 18-17, the Flyers answered with a run of their own to take a 25-17 lead.

The Commodores responded again, outscoring the Flyers 13-8 over the remainder of the period to trail 33-30 at the break. Clarke led all scorers at the half with 13 points. Vanderbilt struggled to contain Cornelie, who had eight in the first half.

Clarke again led the charge out of the half, as she scored consecutive baskets to put Vanderbilt up 34-33. After the teams traded scores, Elan Brown connected for a three to put the Commodores up 41-37.

After Hoover cut it to two and Sant tied the game, the Flyers went up for good on a Hoover three and eventually pushed the lead to 48-41.

Vanderbilt would get as close as two points, in the closing minutes, but could never tie or take the lead.

Foggie made it a one-possession game with 20 seconds left by connecting for a three, but two free throws from Kelley Austria put the game away for Dayton, providing the final margin of 71-66.

Vanderbilt and Dayton shot identical percentages in the contest – 37.7%. The Commodores were 23-61 from the field, while the Flyers were 26-69. Vanderbilt was just 3-15 from three (20.0%).

Turnovers also hurt the Commodores, as Dayton scored 20 points off 17 Vanderbilt miscues. The Flyer bench also outscored its Vanderbilt counterpart, 26-6.

Next up for the Commodores is the San Juan Shootout in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Vanderbilt faces Virginia on Friday, November 23, before taking on Florida State on Saturday, November 24. Both games will tip at 4:00 p.m. CT.