The University of Dayton Flyers delivered an exciting comeback Saturday night, turning a 34‑26 early lead by Notre Dame into a 75‑65 victory in the annual CareSource Spotlight Game. The win showcased the Flyers’ resilience and highlighted the leadership of senior forward Malcolm Thomas, who finished with 20 points and six rebounds.
Game flow and key moments
Notre Dame opened the contest strong, building an eight‑point advantage (34‑26) with just under two minutes left in the first half. Dayton answered with a three‑pointer from Travis Perry, narrowing the gap to 34‑29. Aiden Derkack’s layup before the half ended left the Flyers trailing 38‑33 at the break.
The second half began with both teams deadlocked at 51‑51 with 9:22 remaining. Flyers guard Landen Joseph sparked a turning point, draining a three‑pointer to put Dayton ahead 54‑51. Notre Dame briefly reclaimed the lead when Devin Brown’s layup pushed the score to 62‑61 with 4:19 left.
Thomas then seized the momentum, scoring five straight points to give Dayton a 66‑62 edge with just over three minutes remaining. Joseph added a free‑throw after a missed Thomas attempt, extending the lead to 68‑62. A steal by Derkack set up Thomas for a dunk, pushing the Flyers to 70‑62.
Jaron McKie’s two free throws and Joseph’s final three‑pointer sealed the win, cementing a 75‑65 final score.
Individual performances
Malcolm Thomas led all scorers with 20 points, complemented by six rebounds and a crucial dunk in the closing minutes. Freshman guard Landen Joseph contributed 12 points, including the go‑ahead three‑pointer and a key free‑throw. Aiden Derkack added 10 points and a pivotal steal that led to Thomas’s dunk.
For Notre Dame, Travis Perry’s three‑pointer kept the Irish within striking distance, while Devin Brown’s layup briefly gave his team the lead. The Irish struggled to contain Dayton’s second‑half surge, ultimately falling short despite a solid effort.
Looking ahead
Dayton’s victory adds momentum heading into the remainder of the non‑conference schedule. The Flyers have one more exhibition game on the books, hosting Morehead State on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m., a contest that will be broadcast on WHIO Radio.
Coach Anthony Grant praised his team’s perseverance, noting that the comeback reflected the “character and heart” of the program. He highlighted Thomas’s leadership and the collective effort that allowed the Flyers to overcome early adversity.
Fans celebrated the win at the University of Dayton Arena, with the home crowd’s energy playing a noticeable role in the second‑half rally. The Spotlight Game, a long‑standing tradition supporting local charities, once again delivered an entertaining showcase of college basketball talent.
Original reporting: WHIO-TV Dayton (local) — read the source article.
