DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton women’s basketball team defeated Michigan State 60–53 on Saturday afternoon. Dayton improves to 10-0 while Michigan State falls to 8-1.The Flyers were led by Cassie Sant’s career high 19 points and Ally Malott’s 12 points in the second half. Dayton’s 60 points were the most Michigan State has allowed all season.
Dayton out rebounded the Spartans 48-43. Andrea Hoover led the team with 11 boards along with her 12 points, notching her third double-double of her career. Sam MacKay tied a career high with eight rebounds.
The Flyers got off to a slow start scoring a season low 24 points in the first half on 11-32 from the field as the Spartans led 27-24. Dayton continued to out rebound its opponent with a 24-19 edge over Michigan State in the first half and the bench outscored Michigan State 4-0.
Sant paced the Flyers in the first half scoring 11 of the team’s first 19 points. Sant’s bucket with 1:01 left in the half brought the Flyers within three.
Hoover added five points in the first half along with five rebounds. Olivia Applewhite contributed seven rebounds.
Dayton shot the ball better in the second half going 12-34 and was 10-12 from the free throw line. The Flyers turned the ball over only four times in the second half and were led by Malott’s 12 points.
Hoover brought the Flyers within one to start the second half when she converted two free throws after being fouled driving to the basket. She then made a jumper to give Dayton their first lead since they led 2-0. Another Sant basket stretched the lead to 30-27.
Michigan State regained the lead with 15:08 left in the game, but Sant responded with a jumper in the paint to put Dayton back up one. A layup by Kelley Austria with 7:40 left in the first put UD up 46-40.
Malott continued her hot second half nailing a three with 5:54 left to put Dayton up 51-42. It was her 12th point of the half. MacKay then added a layup to give the Flyers a double digit lead 53-42. Michigan State cut the lead to 53-49 with 1:28 left, but a layup by Sant put the lead back to six. Dayton hit their free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
The Flyers begin a four-game road swing with a trip to Akron, Ohio to play the Zips Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. Dayton doesn’t return to UD Arena until its home conference opener against La Salle on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.
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