DAYTON, OHIO - The Presbyterian College men's basketball team battled the University of Dayton through a tough first half before falling behind in the second and eventually dropping the game 71-52. After trading leads for the majority of the first half, the Blue Hose couldn't hang on as the Flyers pulled away for the win.
Jake Troyli and Chase Holmes would lead PC with 12 points each, while Zach Faircloth and Travis Smith each had 10.
To start the game PC came out strong, hitting four consecutive three point baskets to take an early 12-6 lead. Dayton, however, responded to tie the game at the 12:13 mark with a three pointer of its own, and soon took its first lead of the game, 14-12, a minute later.
The remainder of the half was a battle as the teams traded baskets up until the last second. With the score 28-27 in favor of the Blue Hose Faircloth hit a jumper with 2:17 remaining in the half to put PC up by three points. The Flyers answered with a layup to close the gap to one point with just over a minute left.
With Dayton possessing a one point lead with 42 seconds left on the clock, Holmes sank two free throws to put PC back on top. The Flyers had 22 seconds and the ball, and hit a shot with only three seconds remaining in the game, and took a 33-32 lead into the locker rooms at half time.
Dayton came out firing to start the second half, scoring nine unanswered points before Mutakabbir hit a jumper at the 16:21 mark to make it 42-34 in favor of the Flyers.
The Blue Hose would then make a five point run, including a three pointer from Faircloth and a jumper by Travis Smith, but Dayton would slowly pull away, eventually taking an 18 point lead, 59-41 with 8:53 remaining in the game.
PC cut into Dayton's lead off of two shots from Chase Holmes at the 6:03 mark, but it wasn't enough at the Flyers gradually extended their lead and would come away with the 71-52 victory.
The Blue Hose return to action Sunday, Dec. 27 when they travel to Milwaukee, Wis. to take on Marquette. Tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m. (EST)
