By Paul Gotham
DAYTON, OH — To characterize the Dayton Flyers’ Saturday afternoon game as a crossroads affair for Vee Sanford would be an exaggeration. But the junior guard’s ability to come through when his team needed him most cannot be understated.
Following a disappointing personal performance in a loss to Illinois State on Wednesday, Sanford looked to bounce back. His contribution became a necessity with the Flyers’ bleak outlook. Leading scorer Kevin Dillard’s status was questionable; the effect of back spasms suffered late in the second half of Wednesday’s loss. Freshman Khari Price struggled with flu symptoms on Friday.
Sanford proved himself up to the task.
The junior guard scored 12 first-half points en route to a career-high 23 as Dayton downed the Racers, 77-68 to avenge a 17-point loss a year ago.
“It was a great win against a great team,” Sanford said. “We were very hungry after that Illinois State loss. That’s a big win for our team and the program.”
With Dillard struggling to score from the floor early, Sanford went to work.
He cut through the lane and used a pair of cross screens for a catch-and-shoot three on an inbound pass from Dyshwan Pierre for his first basket of the game. At the opposite end, Sanford created a turnover and fed Devin Oliver for a dunk and UD’s first lead of the day at 7-6.
“Coaches told us to attack and don’t play timid because this not a game for people to play timid,” Sanford commented. “This was a game where we just had to come out and play hard.”
His full game was on display in the first half finishing a layup in transition then completing a traditional three-point with a move on the baseline drawing contact at the rim.
Sanford tied the score at 22 with a back-to-the basket move. He took a pass on the right block, used a baseline pivot and upfake before splitting a pair of defenders to finish with his left from the opposite side of the rim.
“Throughout the week and talking about scouting we did notice that we needed to get the ball in the post,” Sanford explained. “Whether if it was to the bigs or to a guard posting up, that was something we all looked to do.”
Sanford hit seven-of-14 from the floor including two-of-three behind the arc and seven-of-seven at the free throw line. This after scoring just eight points Wednesday on a night where he committed more turnovers (5) than he hit field goals (3).
“He told me he wanted to get on the same page with me after the game the other day,” Dayton head coach Archie Miller said. “There is only one page. He stuck to the script today, and I thought for the most part he was confident.”
The double-digit output was Sanford’s ninth of the season. His previous high was 19 points on seven-of-11 shooting against Manhattan.
The Lexington, Kentucky native handed out a pair of assists on the afternoon without committing a turnover while getting two steals. His basket midway through the second half pulled the Flyers within three at 53-50.
“Vee doesn’t need to think,” Miller added. “Vee just needs to play and be aggressive. For the most part today, he was special.”
In the end, Sanford knew when to give way and let Dillard take charge. The senior point guard, who labored through much of the game, scored 11 of Dayton’s final 13.
“KD took over in crunch time,” Sanford said. “That’s the kind of player he is, and that’s what he does. That’s just expected out of him.”
Murray State beat the Flyers 75-58 last December.
Dayton improved to 9-3 with the win. The Flyers have eight days off before travelling to Southern California to play the Trojans on December 30th.
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