The University of Dayton Flyers scrapped and clawed their way to an opening-night win over pesky Kent State before 12,235 optimistic fans at the UD Arena. Mark Ashman had a career night, scoring 30 points and collecting a career-high 12 boards as Dayton improves to 1-0 on the season.

For fans looking for poetry in motion, this game was a disappointment. For those looking for a solid test in the home opener, the Golden Flashes obliged. UD and Kent traded baskets throughout the first 10 minutes of the game, pushing the score to 19 apiece before Dayton began taking control of the contest on the shoulders of Mark Ashman and freshman David Morris. Morris, who finished his debut as a Flyer with 6 points, 7 assists, and only one turnover, played a steady floor game and found teammates open on several occasions for easy transition baskets. While he played out of control occasionally, Morris will likely ride the fine line between chaos and amazement throughout his career. With his speed and talents, he will be a very solid player for the Flyers this year and the years thereafter.

Dayton bumped the lead to 44-34 at the half and came out strong immediately in the second half to push the lead to 17 by the first TV timeout. The lead eventually grew to 19 points before Kent started chipping away at the lead, helped in part by sharpshooter Nate Mears and a weak Dayton perimeter defense. Mears nailed 7 treys on his way to a team-high 21 points as the Golden Flashes cut the lead to as little as eight before Dayton iced the game at the free throw line.

Kent hit 9-17 treys in the game while the Flyers hit only 3-15. Dayton’s perimeter defense is a serious liability and must be improved or opposing teams will have a field day outside the circle. Both teams shot 46% from the field as solid defense was the exception rather than the norm. However, Dayton buckled things down early in the second half and made their runs because of defensive pressure — not due to offensive execution. The Flyers have the ability to play solid defense but need to become more aggressive and stingy on a consistent basis.

Tony Stanley finished the game with 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals while Coby Turner ended the night with 8 points and 7 boards. The Flyers outrebounded Kent by a whopping 47-29 advantage but the visitors were seriously undersized and without a deep bench to substitute fresh bodies. Edwin Young finished with 6 points, 6 assists and 4 turnovers.

Yuanta Holland scored 4 points but had only 1 rebound in 12 minutes while Stephen Bamigbola failed to score in 12 minutes as well.

Oliver Purnell has a lot of work to do before his team takes on IUPUI on Wednesday night. The major weaknesses continue to be defense and execution of the fundamentals. Too many times Kent players drove to the hoop uncontested, got open looks from three-point-land, or capitalized when the Flyers threw a bad pass or miscued in their offensive set. Kent’s pressure defense was active but not particularly stifling, yet Dayton failed to punish the opponent by attacking the pressure with crisp passing and ball-handling.

In case you are wondering how Nate Green and Andy Metzler faired, they have been suspended for two games by Oliver Purnell for conduct deemed “unacceptable to the standards of the university.” While no clear explanation has been given, Purnell did say the matter was “personal” but did not mention any particular university rule that was violated. Coby Turner was reprimanded for conduct relating to the matter and did not start the game.