Today’s game
Who: Florida A&M (2-2) at Dayton (4-0)
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: UD Arena
Online: ESPN3
Radio: WHIO-AM (1290), WHIO-FM (95.7)
Paul Williams usually elevates his play when the pressure is most intense. But University of Dayton basketball coach Brian Gregory would prefer his junior guard not wait until a crisis arises before deciding to make an impact.
“He’s one of those guys we need that consistency from,” Gregory said. “As a junior, we need to count on him night in and night out.
“But I do feel comfortable with him taking some (important) shots. He’s proven he can make those, and half the battle is being aggressive enough to take them.”
Williams scored a team-high 15 points in a tense 61-59 win over lowly Savannah State on Monday. He scored eight straight points for the Flyers to help turn a 39-34 deficit into a 48-41 edge early in the second half.
When the Tigers regained the lead, Williams connected on an 18-footer with 6:33 to go to put UD ahead for good.
“I play a lot better with pressure on,” he said. “But I’ve got to do a better job when there’s not pressure. When we’re up 15 or 20, I have to still attack.”
The Flyers looked as if they were ready to soar after rallying from a 16-point deficit on the road to beat Mississippi on Saturday, but they took a significant step backward with their dismal play against a team that likely will struggle to win 10 games this season.
They’ll get a chance to atone for that showing against visiting Florida A&M tonight in the third of four games in the Global Sports Main Event.
“Obviously, I’d be a lot more disappointed if we lost that game. But to be honest, I am more interested in that process and progress of the team,” Gregory said. “And while I was very proud of the character that was revealed on Saturday, I’m equally disappointed because you peel that off and in that next layer, something else was revealed. ... I’m always a little worried when you don’t go back and compete at a level you need to.”
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