Dayton Flyers can’t hold on to second-half lead and fall to Oklahoma

The Dayton Flyers turned a 14-point deficit into a seven-point lead but still lost 65-54 to Oklahoma in the third-place game in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Friday at Imperial Gym.

Dayton (4-2) trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half and was down 34-28 at halftime, but it opened the second half on a 13-0 run to take a 41-34 lead. However, the Sooners responded with a 13-4 run and led the rest of the game.

Dayton trailed by four with just under four minutes to play but could get no closer.

Jalen Crutcher led the Flyers with 14 points. Trey Landers and Jordan Davis each scored 12. Christian James scored 21 for Oklahoma.

HALFTIME RECAP

Dayton trailed 9-0 and then 26-12 as its offense struggled and Oklahoma found ways to score inside and outside.

Dayton stepped up its defense in the latter stages of the half, holding the Sooners to three points in the last 5:33. The Flyers got as close as five points. Jhery Matos hit two free throws in the final seconds.

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Obi Toppin and Crutcher each scored seven points for the Flyers. Trey Landers scored five. Josh Cunningham was held to two points.

Jamuni McNeace led Oklahoma with 12 points, and Christian James scored 10.

Oklahoma shot 40 percent from the field. Dayton shot 34 percent. Each team had four turnovers. Oklahoma out-rebounded Dayton 20-17.

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About the Author

David Jablonski

David Jablonski covers the Dayton Flyers and other sports for the Dayton Daily News, Springfield News-Sun and Journal News.