DAYTON, Ohio -- Jock Landale scored 15 points off moves to the basket and Calvin Hermanson had 16 points from the perimeter on Saturday, forming an inside-outside attack that swept No. 17 St. Mary's to a 61-57 victory over Dayton in the Gaels' first road game.
The Gaels (3-0) led the whole way, pulling ahead by 20 points midway through the second half and holding off a late Dayton rally.
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SIGN UP HERE The Flyers (2-1) took advantage of the Gaels' sloppiness and went on a 14-1 run, cutting it to 59-57 on Charles Cooke's jumper with 25 seconds left. Emmett Naar hit two free throws with 7.2 seconds left to clinch it, leaving the Flyers 1-2 against Top 25 teams over the last two seasons. Cooke led the Flyers with 19 points.
Landale - a 6-foot-11 center - had his way inside early, working the pick-and-roll for layups. Landale and Hermanson scored each of St. Mary's 19 as the Gaels pulled ahead 19-11. The Gaels led by as many as 14 in the half.
POLL IMPLICATIONS:
The Gaels were ranked in the preseason poll for the first time in their history and put themselves in position to move up with an impressive road win.
Dayton: The Flyers have been on the verge of entering the poll, but the home-court loss will put that on hold for now.
BIG PICTURE:
St. Mary's: The Gaels came into the game third in Division I in field-goal percentage at 58.5 percent, and showed their patience on the road. They had 16 assists on 20 field goals.
Dayton: Sophomore forward Josh Cunningham tore a ligament in his left ankle during a 77-72 win at Alabama on Tuesday and had surgery. The Flyers said Saturday he'll be sidelined for at least three months.
UP NEXT:
St. Mary's: Hosts San Jose State on Tuesday.
Dayton: Plays Nebraska on Thursday in the Wooden Legacy tournament.