DAYTON, Ohio (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and opportunistic scoring, the Dayton Flyers used a dominant first-half run and a commanding performance from center Amael L’Etang to secure a 78-66 victory over the Duquesne Dukes in Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball on Saturday.

A sellout crowd of 13,407 at University of Dayton Arena watched the Flyers improve to 18-8 overall, while the Dukes fell to 16-11. The win completed a regular-season sweep for Dayton, which also won at Duquesne on Jan. 13.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded late in the first half, transforming a tight contest into a lead Dayton would not relinquish. With Duquesne leading 30-28 after a Tarence Guinyard three-pointer with just over five minutes remaining, the Flyers seized control with a 14-2 surge to close the period. The run was fueled by stifling defense that forced three Duquesne turnovers and held the Dukes to just one field goal attempt in the final four minutes.

The spurt began with a three-pointer from the Flyers’ 7-foot-1 French center, Amael L’Etang, assisted by Bryce Heard, to put Dayton ahead for good at 31-30. After a Duquesne turnover, Javon Bennett capitalized with a three-pointer. Another Dukes miscue led to a Bennett steal and fast-break layup, pushing the lead to six. Following a pair of free throws from Duquesne’s Jake DiMichele, L’Etang struck again from beyond the arc just before the halftime buzzer, sending the Flyers into the locker room with a 42-39 advantage.

That closing burst proved insurmountable. Dayton’s defense, which registered six blocks and five steals, consistently disrupted Duquesne’s offensive flow. The Dukes committed 13 turnovers, which the Flyers converted into 15 points, while Dayton gave the ball away only seven times. The Flyers also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 24 of 32 attempts compared to Duquesne’s 18 of 24.

L’Etang was the catalyst, recording a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to go with five assists and two blocks in 30 minutes. His inside-outside versatility was on full display, including his two crucial first-half three-pointers. Keonte Jones added 13 points and seven rebounds, while Bennett scored 14 points. Jaiun Simon contributed seven points, three rebounds and two blocks off the bench.

Duquesne was led by Guinyard’s 16 points and four assists. David Dixon posted 11 points and seven rebounds, and Jimmie Williams added 10 points and six rebounds. The Dukes struggled to generate assists, finishing with only three as a team, and their offensive rating of 102.5 paled in comparison to Dayton’s efficient 123.4.

Dayton expanded its lead early in the second half, using a 9-2 run to build a 51-41 advantage. A De’Shayne Montgomery three-pointer capped that stretch, and the Flyers maintained a comfortable margin for the remainder of the game. Duquesne never got closer than seven points, as Dayton answered every push, often at the free-throw line where they scored nearly a third of their total points.

The victory keeps Dayton in the upper tier of the Atlantic 10 standings as the regular season enters its final weeks. The Flyers host Saint Louis on Tuesday. Duquesne, which had won three of its last four coming in, looks to rebound when it hosts Davidson on Wednesday.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Dayton had an 80.8% probability to win. The Flyers covered the pregame spread of -6. The total points scored, 144, fell under the over/under line of 148.5.