March 2, 2007

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CINCINNATI - A sparkling defensive performance helped the Dayton Flyers defeat the La Salle Explorers 57-43 in the opening round of the 2007 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship.

Led by a six-point, six-rebound, six-block performance from freshman Kelly Keil, the Flyers advanced to the quarterfinals and will play the No. 1 seed in the tournament, the #8/9 George Washington Colonials on Saturday at noon. Fans can follow the action with live audio and Gametracker at www.DaytonFlyers.com.

UD recorded nine blocks overall on the afternoon, which tied the A-10 Opening Round record set by Fordham against Duquesne on March 6, 2003. It was also the fourth-highest total by any team in A-10 Championship single-game history. Kelly Keil's six blocks were the most ever by a freshman in A-10 postseason play and tied the third best total overall in the 25-year history of the tournament.

Dayton has won its opening game in the A-10 Championship for the second consecutive season and fifth time overall in 12 trips. The Flyers improved to 5-11 all-time in A-10 postseason play with their largest margin of victory since a 77-60 victory over Duquesne on Jan. 28.

Junior Nikki Oakland tallied 15 points, junior Brittany Holterman recorded 12 points and four rebounds while senior Jennifer Strong chipped in with nine points and four boards in the win.

Dayton improved to 12-18 overall and swept the season series with the Explorers. The Flyers controlled the action throughout the game leading by as many as 20 in the second half.

La Salle, who averaged 64.6 points per game coming into the tournament, were held to 15-of-52 shooting from the floor and turned the ball over 23 times thanks to the tenacious Dayton defense. Conversely, the UD offense looked sharp shooting 45 percent from the floor.

The first half was all Dayton. UD led 33-17 at halftime after holding La Salle to 5-for-27 shooting from the field. Keil tallied four of the Flyers' six blocks as the Dayton defense challenged shots, rebounded well and forced turnovers in the Explorers' zone.

Oakland led the way with nine points, including her first three-point basket of the season, all within the first three minutes of the game. Holterman added eight in a five-minute stretch as the Flyers shot 54 percent from the floor.

After Oakland and Holterman provided their scoring spurts, the rest of the Flyers chipped in on both ends of the floor to push the lead to 15 at one point in the first half.

In the second half, junior Kathy Guin got the Flyers off on the right start with a long range jumper pushing the Dayton lead to 35-17. But La Salle answered with an 8-2 spurt in the next four minutes to cut the deficit to 37-25.

That would be the closest the Explorers would get as Strong connected on a jumper to put Dayton ahead 45-31 with 9:29 to go in the second half. Guin gave the Flyers a 48-31 advantage with a three-point basket at the 8:05 mark.

Minutes later Holterman pushed the lead to 18 with less than four minutes to play after connecting on a jumper. The junior forward shot 6-for-7 from the field and added two assists.

Guin finished the game with five points, two rebounds and two assists. The six blocks for Keil are a UD season high and career high.

Other contributors for UD included junior Karah Cloxton with four points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench and senior Amber Peternik with four points and four assists.

For the Explorers, Crista Rickets led all scorers with 17 points as La Salle finishes the season 19-11 overall.

The Flyers have played their best basketball of late winning four of their last seven contests. UD will have a tough challenge ahead on Saturday as George Washington defeated Dayton earlier this season 70-57.