Rollins scores 22 as Dayton knocks off Liberty 67-53
Dayton’s Donahvan Thibodeaux scores on the inside against Liberty on Tuesday night. The Vindicator | Jerry Michalsky
Frankie Marez of Liberty tries to get this shot off against Dayton on Tuesday night at home. The Vindicator | Jerry Michalsky
LIBERTY — Dayton’s Ernie Rollins scored 15 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, and the Broncos used a big third quarter to get some separation in front of a packed house to beat the Panthers 67-53 on Tuesday night.
Liberty jumped out early on to a 6-2 lead as Tony Denman connected from downtown.
Dayton’s Donahvan Thibodeaux scored the first six points for his team as the Broncos trailed 8-6.
Denman continued his hot first quarter by nailing another three-pointer, and the Panthers led 12-6.
Dayton then closed the opening quarter on a 6-1 run to close within 13-12.
Liberty increased their advantage back to 18-15 on a bucket by Frankie Marez as he was fouled.
Rollins then hit from the three-point line and the Broncos were on a 7-1 run as they led 22-19.
Dayton would lead 29-25 at the break.
Dawson Victorian started the third quarter by hitting a trey and the score was 32-25.
Moments later, Rollins hit a three-pointer and scored on a lay-up, and the Broncos enjoyed their biggest lead of the night at 39-29 with 4:20 left in the third quarter.
Rollins continued his scoring as he grabbed an offensive rebound and laid it back in and the score was 44-29.
Liberty kept fighting, Jason Wickliff scored four straight points, and the Panthers closed to 54-41.
Hunter Leonard then put an exclamation point on the night by hitting a three-pointer to make it 67-50.
Leonard added 14 points, while Thibodeaux finished with 10. Wickliff and Denman each finished with 16 points each to lead the Panthers in scoring. Marez added 8.