Preview: Dayton vs. Saint Louis

Who: Dayton (12-8, 2-4 Atlantic 10) at Saint Louis (15-5, 4-2)

When: 2 p.m., Saturday

Where: Chaifetz Arena

TV/Radio: NBC Sports Network/WHIO 95.7, 1290

Dayton starters

  • Kevin Dillard, 6-0, Sr., G, 14.8 ppg.
  • Vee Sanford, 6-3, Jr., G, 12.9
  • Josh Benson, 6-9, Sr., F, 10.2
  • Devin Oliver, 6-7, Jr., F, 9.4
  • Dyshawn Pierre, 6-6, Fr., F, 7.8

Saint Louis starters

  • Kwamain Mitchell, 5-10, Sr., G, 9.1
  • Mike McCall Jr., 6-0, Jr., G, 10.7
  • Dwayne Evans, 6-5, Jr., F, 11.0
  • Grandy Glaze, 6-6, So., F, 3.5
  • Rob Loe, 6-11, Jr., C, 7.3

About Dayton: The Flyers are in a three-way tie for 12th in the A-10. … If history is a guide, expect a tight game with SLU. Only two of the previous 16 meetings were decided by more than 10 points, and six of the games went into overtime (including double-overtime twice). … The Flyers dropped from second to fourth in the A-10 in rebound margin after being out-boarded by Xavier by 18 on Wednesday. They're still at plus-4.7 per game. … Dillard is fourth in the league in assists (4.9) and foul shooting (86.7). … The Flyers are second in scoring (72.3 points).

About Saint Louis: The late Rick Majerus has left his imprint on the program. The legendary coach turned the Billikens into one of the nation's best defensive teams, and that's still a strength under coach Jim Crews. They're first in the A-10 in scoring defense (57.8 points) and had one stretch in December where they held four straight opponents under 50 points. … Mitchell, a first-team preseason all-conference pick, missed the first 11 games with a broken foot but has started the last nine and is rounding into form. … Reserve forward Cody Ellis shares the team scoring lead with Evans.

FYI: The Flyers have yet to win a close game this year. Before a five-point loss to Xavier, which essentially was a one-possession game, they had four losses by a combined six points. "Until we can collectively get some toughness, some pride in big moments — so many of our games have come down to that. In big moments, you've got to step up," UD coach Archie Miller said.

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