PHILADELPHIA _ The Dayton Flyers began a new decade by exorcising a demon from the last one.
Dayton routed La Salle, 84-58, on Thursday at Tom Gola Arena, winning in Philadelphia for the first time since 2011. They had lost four straight games at La Salle. They have lost nine straight games to Saint Joseph's at Hagan Arena and play the Hawks on Sunday. No. 20 Dayton (12-2) opened Atlantic 10 Conference play with their 11th double-digit victory of the season. This game was never close, and the Flyers pushed the lead past 30 before the Explorers (9-4) scored some points in garbage time. Six Flyers scored in double figures. Obi Toppin scored 20. Jalen Crutcher had 15. Ryan Mikesell had 10. Trey Landers and Ibi Watson each scored 10.
An 18-0 run carried the Flyers to a 46-24 halftime lead. Dayton has led at halftime in all 14 games, and this was its biggest halftime lead. Toppin led Dayton with 11 first-half points. Landers scored eight. Rodney Chatman and Mikesell each scored seven. Dayton led 20-14 when it started its big run on a jump shot by Mikesell at the 10:32 mark. The run ended with a basket by Trey Landers at the 6:09 mark. Dayton made seven straight field goals during the run. In the first half, Dayton shot 68% from the field and held La Salle to 32.3% shooting.
