DAYTON, Ohio, March 19 (UPI) -- Brian Roberts scored 21 points Wednesday to pace Dayton's 66-57 win over Cleveland State in a first-round NIT contest in Dayton, Ohio.
The 6-foot-2 guard sank two free throws with 4:28 left to give the Flyers (22-10) a 27-26 lead which stood up until the end. His three-pointer had ignited a 6-0 spurt to begin the second half.
Dayton's halftime lead was 38-30.
Center Kurt Huelsman had 12 points and seven rebounds while Marcus Johnson and Andres Sandoval scored 11 points apiece for the winners from the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Cleveland State was led by Cedric Jackson's 11 points and five assists. Both Joe Davis and D'Aundray Brown scored 10 for the Vikings, who finished the season with a record of 21-13 after losing the Horizon League Tournament final 70-55 to 10th-ranked Butler last Tuesday.
