Dayton basketball 68, St. Bonaventure 63 FINAL — Javon Bennett's 27-Point Shooting Clinic Sends Flyers to A-10 Semis
Dayton survived a gritty St. Bonaventure squad Friday night to advance to the Atlantic 10 Tournament semifinals with a 68-63 win. Javon Bennett was sensational — 27 points on 8-of-12 shooting including 6-of-10 from three — while Jordan Derkack drew 8 fouls to keep Dayton in front down the stretch. Dayton faces Saint Louis in the A-10 semifinal Saturday at 1:00 PM ET.
Dayton vs St. Bonaventure Final Score and Box Score
Dayton led 30-27 at halftime and held on in a tight second half. The Flyers shot just 34.6 percent from the field overall but made a remarkable 10-of-24 from three-point range, with Javon Bennett carrying most of that load. St. Bonaventure shot a more efficient 45.7 percent but went just 18-of-28 from the free throw line — a 64.3 percent rate that cost them dearly.
| Stat | Dayton | St. Bonaventure |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 68 | 63 |
| Halftime | 30 | 27 |
| FG % | 34.6% | 45.7% |
| 3P % | 41.7% | 30.0% |
| Free Throws | 22-28 (78.6%) | 18-28 (64.3%) |
| Rebounds | 37 | 29 |
| Second Chance Pts | 5 | 6 |
| Points Off Turnovers | 16 | 11 |
Javon Bennett: 27 Points, 6-of-10 From Three — Man of the Match
Javon Bennett was Dayton's offensive engine — 27 points on 8-of-12 shooting with a scorching 6-of-10 from three-point range and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. He added 3 assists, 1 steal, and 3 defensive rebounds. His efficiency rating of 32 was the highest of any player in the game, and his 92.2 percent true shooting percentage was extraordinary for a player who attempted 14-plus shots.
Jordan Derkack: 15 Points, 8 Fouls Drawn — The X-Factor
Jordan Derkack may not jump off the box score, but his 8 fouls drawn were the game's most important statistic. He finished with 15 points on 10-of-12 free throws, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. His ability to get to the foul line repeatedly kept Dayton's offense ticking when three-point shots were not falling.
Amaël L'Etang: Double-Double Off the Bench — 11 Points, 12 Rebounds
Amaël L'Etang provided the hustle Dayton needed off the bench — a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, including 5 offensive boards and 2 blocks. His physical presence inside helped Dayton win the rebounding battle 37-29.
St. Bonaventure: Darryl Simmons II Leads With 20 — But Free Throws Kill the Bonnies
Darryl Simmons II was St. Bonaventure's best player — 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting with a perfect 6-of-6 from the foul line. Frank Mitchell added 16 points and 6 rebounds. But the Bonnies' inability to convert from the stripe — particularly Dasonte Bowen at 5-of-8 and Cayden Charles at 1-of-5 — proved fatal in a 5-point game. St. Bonaventure's season ends here.
What's Next: Dayton vs Saint Louis in A-10 Semifinals
Dayton advances to face Saint Louis in Saturday's Atlantic 10 Tournament semifinal at 1:00 PM ET. The Flyers are on a 3-game winning streak and riding genuine momentum into the weekend — Javon Bennett looks like the kind of hot shooter capable of carrying a team through a conference tournament run. A win Saturday sets up a potential A-10 Tournament championship game appearance on Sunday with an automatic NCAA Tournament bid on the line.
