There's nothing random about this post. Tonight is the season opener for the Flyers, and it's only natural to revisit one of the more memorable season openers in UD history.
A year ago, on Nov. 9, Jordan Sibert hit a last-second 3-pointer to stun IPFW, which was trying to stun UD and almost did. That's Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, in case you've forgotten. A few fans emailed me after the game because they did not know what IPFW stood for.
Here's the story:
DAYTON — Jordan Sibert had never hit a shot like this. Not when he was 5. Not when he was a senior at Cincinna ti Princeton High School. Not when he was a freshman with the Buckeyes.
Even in his dreams — and he had a lot of time to think, sitting on the bench last season after transferring from Ohio State — Sibert didn't imagine his Dayton career starting like this. His 3-pointer with one second left gave the Flyers an 81-80 victory over IPFW on Saturday at UD Arena in the season opener for both teams.
Fans with their arms crossed across their chests seconds before, silently con templating a devastating start to the season, found themselves on their feet marveling at November Madness as Sibert's shot dropped through the net.
"I did want to move the crowd," Sibert said. "That's what we apparently were able to do. I give the credit to my teammates for that play. My shot was good, but the effort my teammates gave was great."
Price pushed the ball forward to freshman Kyle Davis, who passed to Sibert. Nine seconds earlier, Sibert had clanked the first of two free throws when he needed to make both to tie the game.
The Mastodons had their largest lead, 64-57, with 7:45 to play. It was a tie game with two minutes left when IPFW's Isaiah McCray hit a 3-pointer. IPFW led 76-71 with 34 seconds left.
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