Sat Mar 22 15:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Dayton Flyers Advance in NIT, Set for Showdown with Chattanooga
**Dayton, OH** – The Dayton Flyers secured a hard-fought 86-79 victory over Florida Atlantic in the first round of the NIT on Wednesday, but the win wasn’t without its quirks. Many Dayton fans watching the ESPN2 broadcast complained about a particularly loud, persistent fan audible throughout the game. Despite the distracting commentary from the stands, the Flyers dominated much of the second half en route to victory.
This marks Dayton’s first NIT game played away from UD Arena since 2010, extending their road game streak to 11. Their next opponent is Chattanooga (25-9), a team with an impressive 6-year winning streak and a recent Southern Conference regular-season championship. The game is set for Saturday at 11:30 a.m. EST in Chattanooga’s McKenzie Arena, airing on ESPN2.
Dayton coach Anthony Grant is focused on the immediate task, stating, “One game at a time. We’re promised one game. That’s all we have.” A win against Chattanooga would send Dayton to a potential home quarterfinal game against either George Mason or Bradley, a scenario reminiscent of a missed opportunity three years ago when they lost a second-round game at Vanderbilt, preventing a home quarterfinal matchup against Xavier.
Chattanooga enters the game fresh off a triple-overtime victory against Middle Tennessee State, their first postseason win outside of a conference tournament since 1997. Key players to watch for Chattanooga include Honor Huff, Bash Wieland (a Lakota East graduate), and Trey Bonham. Dayton, meanwhile, holds an 8-3 series advantage over Chattanooga, though their last meeting in 2015 saw Chattanooga win at UD Arena.
This NIT run holds significance for Dayton, who boasts a 42-25 record in 28 previous NIT appearances. A victory over Chattanooga would see them potentially play a home game, a rare opportunity given their extended road streak in the tournament. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and local radio stations.
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