Box Score

DAYTON, OHIO - Kyle Davis scored a game-high 17 points and Jordan Sibert hit five 3-pointers, as Dayton used a balanced attack to down Duquesne, 81-55, in the Atlantic 10 opener for both schools at UD Arena.

Dyshawn Pierre and Scoochie Smith - along with Sibert - finished with 16 points. Kendall Pollard added 13 for the Flyers who shot 56.6 percent.

Jeremiah Jones was the lone Duquesne player in double digits with 10 as the Dukes shot just 34.4 percent.

There were three ties and three lead changes in the first 11 minutes before Dayton took an 18-17 lead on a Pierre free throw with 7:12 left.

The Flyers followed with four consecutive 3-pointers - including two by Smith - to start a 22-5 half-ending run that concluded with a Sibert 3-pointer with 6 seconds left that made it 39-22.

In all, the Flyers hit five 3-pointers in the final 6:03 as Duquesne managed just a Dominique McKoy jumper and Eric James 3-pointer over that span.

"We did some things very well early, but then we had some major breakdowns," said Duquesne head coach Jim Ferry. "More of it was our offense, which led to transition offense for them and it really hurt us. When you shoot 30 percent, you are playing so much in transition - in transition defense - that's where we really broke down."

UD built the lead to 21 on a Pierre dunk just under four minutes into the second half. The Flyers held the Dukes scoreless for the final 4:33 in finishing the game with their largest margin of the afternoon.

Duquesne, which made its first three shots, made just seven of its next 30 in finishing the half down 17.

James went 3-of-5 from the 3-point arc in scoring nine for the Dukes off the bench. The rest of the team was a combined 2-of-19 from 3-point.

"Dayton did a great job defensively," said Ferry. "Those are experienced, physical guys who know how to play."

DU hosts Saint Joseph's in its Atlantic 10 home opener on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Palumbo Center.

NOTES

• Guards Micah Mason (0-of-8, 0-of-5 from 3-point) and Jordan Stevens (0-of-5, 0-of-2) were a combined 0-of-13 from the field and 0-of-7 from the 3-point arc ... fellow guard Derrick Colter was 3-of-10.

• DU didn't attempt its first free throw until there was 15:10 remaining

• Dayton shot 56.6 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from 3-point (10-of-26) and 50 percent (11-of-22) from the foul line ... Duquesne shot 34.4 percent from the field, 20.8 percent from 3-point (5-of-24) and 66.7 percent (8-of-12) from the foul line.

• Duquesne's largest was four at 6-2 with 17:08 left in the first half ... Dayton's largest lead was the 26-point final margin ... there were three ties and three lead changes before the Flyers took the lead for good with 7:12 left in the first half.