Dayton Flight Week in Review: May 23rd-30th
By: Austin Fletcher
The Dayton Flight came into the set of games over the Memorial Day holiday weekend holding their playoff destiny in their hands. As the 5th seed in the Midwest Division with a record of 6-8, the Flight sat a game back of the 4th seed, held by fellow in-state rival Columbus Condors. With the top four teams in each division making the playoffs, the Flight’s margin for error was small as they matched up against the Condors in Columbus (May 28th) and then returned home of a tough matchup against the Indy Express (May 30th).
Although the game against the Columbus Condors on May 28th was originally scheduled as a Dayton Flight home game, the game was relocated due to a scheduling conflict with Wilberforce University’s spring graduation. The game was a high-scoring battle, with the Condors ultimately coming out on top 146-129. Brett McKnight scored a team high 31 points for the Condors, shooting an unstoppable 93 percent from the field and adding 13 rebounds and 8 assists. Taishaun Johnson led the Flight in scoring, delivering 28 points and 6 assists. Tyrell Means also contributed 21 points for the Flight, shooting an efficient 82 percent from the field. In the end, defense turned out to be the key factor in this game, as the Condors had four players who scored 20 or more points.
Dayton rebounded against the Indy Express on May 30th, pulling out a crucial victory in one of the hardest fought games of the season. With a final score of 116-115, the Flight secured an ever-important win as the team heads into the later third of the season and competes for the final playoff spot in the Midwest. Taishaun Johnson dominated once again, scoring a game-high 36 points, and contributing 5 rebounds and 4 assists on the side. Marcus Fillyaw led the Express with 30 points, but despite the team having a higher shooting percentage than the Flight, Indy couldn’t pull the win out in the end. The biggest factor that contributed to the Flight’s victory in this game was free throw shooting. Johnson went 18/19 from the charity stripe for the Flight, and the team ultimately made 10 more free throws than the Express and committed 9 less fouls.
The Flight conclude the weekend with an updated record of 7-9. As the team looks to continue their playoff push, they have a serious chance to make up ground with games against the Condors (at home on June 4th) and the Owensboro Thoroughbreds (away on June 5th.)
Check back next week for another Week in Review to catch up on everything about your Dayton Flight.
Save 30% on a TBLTV League Pass by using the other link below and using the coupon code TKDS
Purchase a TBLTV League Pass
Coupon code: TKDS
Indy Express vs. Dayton Flight (Replay)
Sunday, May 30 | 7:00pm
