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Flyers miss would-be winning shot at buzzer

During last Sunday's NCAA Tournament selection show, the Dayton Flyers were the last team selected.

Dozens of Flyers' players jumped for joy when UD was finally picked, ecstatic that they had not been overlooked by the NCAA.

Though by the way Purdue's basketball team played Thursday afternoon at McKale Center, the Flyers may have been overlooked by the Boilermakers.

Dayton, with an enrollment of only 6,500 students, almost made its first tournament appearance in a decade a miraculous one.

But the Boilermakers managed to stave off numerous Dayton attacks throughout the second half, eventually prevailing over UD 62-61. PU head coach Gene Keady said his team dodged a bullet.

"It was an ugly game, a hard-fought game," he said. "Both teams deserved to win."

Despite outhustling a tepid Purdue team, the Flyers entered halftime trailing 28-25.

The Flyers and Boilermakers played a tight second half, exchanging leads well into the final minute. With Purdue ahead 62-61 Dayton forward Yuanta Holland fouled Purdue's Greg McQuay with only 23.6 seconds remaining.

The senior center missed the first free throw but hit the second, putting the Boilermakers ahead by two with just over twenty seconds to go.

Flyers freshman Brooks Hall was fouled on the next UD possession, giving Dayton a chance to tie the game with 6.7 seconds left.

Hall hit the first free throw but he missed the second and Purdue pulled down the rebound.

Cardinal was immediately fouled and the senior missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving Dayton the ball back with a chance to win the game with 3.2 seconds remaining.

Dayton guard David Morris missed an off-balance, 25-foot shot as time expired, giving Purdue a first-round victory.

Morris may have been fouled on the play. "We were playing a switching defense and I kinda bumped him (Morris)," Cardinal said. "It's the tournament, crazy things happen. When he put up the shot, I was praying that it (wouldn't) come close."

Cardinal added 11 points in the second half to lead all scorers with 18- not that he was completely happy with his performance.

"I wish I'd made those free throws," Cardinal said. "(But) we pulled it out anyway."

Wildcat sports reporter Chris Jackson contributed to this story.