(11) Dayton Reaches Sweet 16 with Win Over (3) Syracuse
Published at
Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(BUFFALO, N.Y.) — It was nearly 30 years ago that the Dayton Flyers had reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. On Saturday, the 11th-seed in the South region stunned third-seeded Syracuse, 55-53, to earn a trip to the regional semifinals.
Freshman guard Tyler Ennis launched a three as the horn sounded that bounced off the rim, sending Syracuse home in front of a largely pro-Orange crowd. Ennis finished with 19 points.
“The last shot was a great shot. It was the right play,” Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said. “A chance to win the game. You don’t have enough time to get to the basket. I have no problem with that shot.”
The Flyers, who knocked off in-state rival Ohio State on Thursday, held the Orange to 0-10 from three-point land. It marked the first time 665 games that Syracuse did not hit a three. Dayton however connected on seven three’s as the team shot 41.3% from the floor (19-46) in the win.
“We have a good program with great tradition,” said head coach Archie Miller. “Now, we have the ability to build, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Dyshawn Pierre led the Flyers with 14 points while Devin Oliver pulled in 10 rebounds for Dayton. The Flyers will face the winner of No. 2 seed Kansas or 10th-seeded Stanford.
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio