Dayton and George Washington Go Back and Forth in a Friday Night Primetime Clash in the Atlantic Ten

By: Ethan Hennessy

Washington D.C.

Dayton fresh off a win over #23 Saint Louis picked right back where they left off. The Flyers jumped out to a 16-3 lead and forced five George Washington turnovers in the first seven minutes. This style of play came naturally to Dayton as they are first in the A-10 and top 30 in the nation in steals per game. George Washington went on a 10-2 run to get back in the game by the under four media timeout of the first half. After the first seven or so minutes George Washington settled down and leaned on their home crowd to gradually close the deficit on the scoreboard. At halftime the score stood 34-31 Dayton with the narrow advantage.

A corner three pointer from George Washington’s Jean Aranguren tied the game up with 17:09 to play. Rafael Casto gave GW their first lead of the game when he drove down the lane and dunked the ball a moment later. The three pointer also set a new program record for George Washington for most three pointers in a season at 288. The game went back and forth for much of the second half.

George Washington grabbed some momentum forcing a Dayton shot clock violation and causing the under-four media timeout. The Smith Center roared to life heading into the under four media timeout. That was the 36^th combined turnover for both teams. The home crowd gave GW energy going into the final stretch. The teams were tied at 64 with 57.5 seconds to play. Javon Bennett only made one of two free throws for Dayton with 21 seconds, but Rafael Castro missed both of his free throws for GW. After a defensive rebound A’mael L’Etang found himself at the line and made both of his foul shots to put the Flyers ahead by one point. George Washington advanced the ball and set up a sideline out of bound play. George Washington had multiple attempts at a layup in the final seconds, but could not get the shot to fall. A “Let’s Go Flyers” chant rang out throughout the Smith Center as the red and powder blue faithful comprised around a fifth of the near capacity crowd on Friday night. Dayton after making one of two from the line set up their defense to guard against GW’s desperation last shot. George Washington could not get a shot off in time and Dayton claimed a road victory by a score of 68-66.

Up next for the Flyers they will remain on the east coast to play Richmond. George Washingon will host St. Bonaventure in their final home game of the 2025-26 campaign.