DAYTON, Ohio (Interstat) — Jordan Derkack recorded a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, and the Dayton Flyers overcame a sluggish offensive start to defeat the Fordham Rams 63-56 in an Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball game on Wednesday afternoon at University of Dayton Arena.

The most important part of the game was a decisive 16-2 run by Dayton spanning the end of the first half and the start of the second that turned a tight contest into a double-digit lead the Rams could never overcome. After Fordham’s Akira Jacobs hit a 3-pointer to pull the Rams within 28-25 with 1:22 left in the first half, the Flyers closed the period with a Jaiun Simon layup and two free throws from Simon to take a 30-25 advantage into halftime.

Dayton then scored the first 12 points of the second half. The burst was fueled by defense, as De’Shayne Montgomery opened the scoring with a steal and dunk, and Keonte Jones later added a steal that led to a 3-pointer from Javon Bennett. When Montgomery converted another layup with 17:18 to play, the Flyers’ lead had ballooned to 42-25, capping the game-changing run.

Fordham, which struggled with its shooting throughout the afternoon, never got closer than seven points the rest of the way. The Rams chipped away and cut the deficit to 56-49 with 6:56 remaining after a pair of free throws from Rikus Schulte, but Derkack answered with a layup and a free throw on the ensuing possession to push the lead back to 10.

The Rams made a final push in the closing minute. Trailing 60-52, DeJour Reaves made a layup and, after a free throw by Dayton’s Jones, Jacobs buried a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left to make it 61-58. Jones then made one of two free throws, and after Jacobs was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 18 seconds remaining, he made all three free throws to bring Fordham within 62-61.

Simon was then fouled and made one of two free throws for Dayton with 18 seconds left, giving Fordham a chance to tie or take the lead. Reaves’ potential go-ahead 3-pointer was blocked by Jacob Conner, however, and Simon secured the defensive rebound and was fouled. He made the second of two free throws with five seconds left to provide the final margin.

Reaves led all scorers with 18 points and added six assists for Fordham. Schulte matched Derkack’s rebounding effort with 14 boards of his own to go with six points, and Jack Whitbourn added 12 rebounds. Jacobs finished with 12 points for the Rams.

For Dayton, Derkack’s double-double anchored the effort. Montgomery scored 10 points, while Bennett and Simon each added 11. Jones contributed eight points, five rebounds and three steals for a Flyers defense that forced 18 Fordham turnovers.

The game was a defensive struggle from the outset, with both teams shooting poorly. Dayton built an early 11-2 lead, but Fordham responded with a 9-2 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Roor Akhuar, to close within 13-11 midway through the first half. The Flyers maintained a narrow lead until their pivotal run changed the complexion of the game.

With the victory, Dayton improved to 10-3 overall and 1-0 in Atlantic 10 play. Fordham fell to 9-5 overall and 0-1 in the conference. The Flyers next play at Loyola Chicago on Saturday. Fordham returns home to host Richmond on Sunday.

The result defied the pregame spread, as Dayton was favored by 17 points. The total points scored, 119, also fell well under the over/under line of 138.5.