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Home > Blogs > Flyer Connection: University of Dayton sports > Archives > 2009 > November > 19 > Entry
Gregory elated with comeback effort
SAN JUAN — Dayton was hounded into an unsightly 22 turnovers, shot a mediocre 43 percent from the field and was out-rebounded by eight, all of which may sound like a recipe for disaster.
But coach Brian Gregory has been extolling the virtues of his deep bench, and a trio of sophomore subs made sure the Flyers didn’t falter against No. 21 George Tech.
Chris Johnson had a game-high 19 points, Paul Williams added 13 and and Luke Fabrizius 12 in the 63-59 victory Thursday in the first round of the Puerto Rico Tip-off Classic. UD’s bench out-scored the Yellow Jackets’ reserves, 47-24.
UD led by 10 early in the second half but fell into a turnover funk and seemed destined for a sure defeat. But down 57-50, the Flyers finished the game on a 13-2 run.
Williams scored UD’s last seven on a 3-pointer and two consecutive one-and-ones in the final 51 seconds.
Quotes from the post-game press conference:
• “We showed flashes at times of where we can get to,” Gregory said. “It was longer than it was on Saturday (against Creighton), but not as long as it needs to be.”
• “They did a great job of pounding the ball inside,” Gregory said. “We had some defensive breakdowns, especially in transition. That team is dangerous in the open court because they have great size and can make some plays. We did not handle the ball well — 22 turnovers is way too many. That’s too many free possessions for them.
“Give them credit because they fought back. Our guys, with about four minutes to go, knew if we could stop them in transition and get them in the half court and get some stops, we’d eventually get some open looks against that zone. And CJ got it going with the big 3 from the right side.”
UD had just one field goal in a nearly 10-minute span until Johnson’s 3-pointer with 2:43 to go cut the deficit to 57-55.
• The Yellow Jackets were forced into 26 turnovers and made just 11-of-20 free throws, but they were able to make it a game through a 34-26 edge on the boards and by shooting 51.1 percent from the field.
Coach Paul Hewitt, though, was vexed over allowing UD to make some monumental 3-pointers. Fabrizius was 4-for-7 from the arc.
“Maybe we could have gotten out and contested a little more, especially with (Luke) Fabrizius. But give them credit, they made some big 3’s.
“No disrespect to them — they played very, very well — but we turned the ball over too much. We had a little flow going … then we got a little frantic, missed a couple free throws and gave them some life. But you have to give them credit. A lot of teams would have those opportunities down seven and not cash in. Dayton cashed in. They executed and made some big shots.”
• Paul Williams on his late-game heroics:
“I’d just like to give some credit to London (Warren). He drove and kicked it out and trusted me on the 3. The free throws, all summer, we’ve been working on them, shooting thousands and thousands. I just had to show I could hit ‘em.”
• Stat of the day: Chris Wright had almost as many turnovers (6) as points (7). And the team’s other returning star, Marcus Johnson, didn’t score a point, going 0-for-5 from the field.
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Comments
By Kman
November 19, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this
Two games in and I think if anybody should be talking about leaving early (nobody should) it would be Chris Johnson not Wright. Chris, watch CJ hit pull up jumpers, rebound and play an all-around game. Two dimensional will not work at the next level. Too many disappearing act games. Stay and build something special. Great win but the live and die by the three pointer offense is not going to translate to consistent wins.
By null
November 19, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
Perry played like crap too. At least 1/3 of all UD’s turnovers can be attributed directly to him. Officially he had 4, but some of his passes put other players in bad spots on the floor, resulting to turnovers. BG went way too long with Perry running point!
By 0_o?
November 19, 2009 8:04 PM | Link to this
Just a note: DDN you printed the wrong rankings wrong on the front page. GT is ranked 19th no 21st and Dayton is ranked 21st and not 18th. Back to the topic on hand. The whole keep trying the 3pointer is getting old. If it doesn’t work 3 times in a row suddenly the opposing team has a chance for 6 to 9 points on possible turnovers. No good
By CJ
November 19, 2009 8:46 PM | Link to this
O_o - there are 2 polls and ud is ranked 18 in one and 21 in the other. GT is 19 in one and 21 in the other.
By doug
November 19, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this
hey Kman - do us all a favor and risk 0 on your ESPN Streak for Cash again.
By Tim
November 19, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this
This team knows how to win. Out rebounded, over 20 turnovers, two star players have terrible games, down by seven with under five minutes to go. All this against a team rated in the top 25. Who cares if they win with threes? All these negatives and UD still wins! These are marks of the intangibles, they have heart.
By Dirty
November 19, 2009 10:17 PM | Link to this
It sure looked like Wright and Marcus were out last night having a little fun. The two of them really looked uncoordinated and lethargic.
By Jeff
November 19, 2009 11:48 PM | Link to this
Kman..That was prob the most intellegant post I’ve read on the UD boards all season long. the Flyers have some issues. I think G.Tech was prob over ranked and will finish no better than 5’th in the ACC this year. London warren is a turnover waiting to happen
By BigEkillas
November 19, 2009 11:52 PM | Link to this
Uh, yeah, but GT was pretty enigmatic, to say the least. UD would’ve had a tougher time with GMU today.