Dayton clinches A-10 regular-season title with easy win over Davidson

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) Obi Toppin demonstrated his assortment of dunks while scoring 23 points with near-perfect shooting, and No. 4 Dayton clinched the Atlantic 10 title Friday night, beating Davidson 82-67 for its 18th straight victory.

The Flyers (27-2, 16-0) showed off their offensive versatility while claiming their first regular season title in three years.

Toppin led the way, providing a pair of fast-break dunks in the second half that were exclamation points on Dayton's sensational season. He went 10 of 11 from the field and had 12 rebounds.

Five Flyers finished in double figures as Dayton shot 72.3% from the field, its best mark since it made 77.5% against Southern on March 1, 1986. Guard Ibi Watson came off the bench and scored 13 points, taking a bigger load in the offense with Jalen Crutcher in foul trouble. Crutcher finished with 14 points.

Kellan Grady had 23 points for Davidson (15-13, 9-7).

Toppin was the catalyst. He had a dunk, a long 3 from the top of the key, and a floater in the lane that gave Dayton a 21-13 lead.

The Flyers' guards then took control.

Rodney Chatman had a layup and a 3-pointer, Watson scored on three consecutive drives to the basket, and Toppin hit another 3 for a 40-21 lead- , the Flyers' biggest of the half.

Dayton came into the game leading the nation in field goal percentage at 52%. The Flyers shot 69% in the first half, with most of their points coming off drives to the basket.

Toppin had a pair of fast-break dunks - the second one a reverse slam - that brought the crowd of 13,407 to its feet and pushed Dayton's lead to 56-33 early in the second half.

Davidson's Jon Axel Gudmunsson scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half, when the Wildcats never got closer than 12 points.

BIG PICTURE

Davidson completed a resurgent month, going 5-3 with four wins by at least 25 points.

Dayton moved to two wins away from running the table in the Atlantic 10. The Flyers haven't lost since a 78-76 overtime defeat against Colorado on Dec. 21.

UP NEXT

Davidson plays its final road game at Richmond on Tuesday. The Wildcats lost to Richmond 70-64 on Jan. 14.

Dayton plays its final road game at Rhode Island on Wednesday. The Flyers beat the Rams 81-67 on Feb. 11 at UD Arena.

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