DAYTON, Ohio (AP) – Kendall Pollard scored 17 points, and Dayton used every bit of its home-court advantage on Wednesday night, rallying for a 56-55 win over Boise State in the First Four.
The Flyers (26-8) will play sixth-seeded Providence on Friday in Columbus, Ohio.
It was the first time since 1987 that a school has played an NCAA Tournament game on its home court, an anomaly resulting from Dayton hosting the opening games. The Flyers went 16-0 at home during the regular season and have won 22 straight at UD Arena, seventh-longest active streak in Division I.
The Flyers trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half and by seven with 3:43 to go. With the crowd of 12,592 behind them – the biggest attendance for a First Four game – Dayton closed with a 10-2 run.
Derrick Marks’ leaning 3-pointer at the buzzer was far off the mark, finishing it off. Marks had 23 points on 10-of-21 shooting.