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An A-10 first when Rhode Island visits Dayton

Jan 9, 2008 - 2:04 PM No. 20 Rhode Island (14-1) at No. 22 Dayton (12-1) 7:00 pm EST

DAYTON, Ohio (Ticker) - It will be a historical night for the Atlantic-10 conference when No. 20 Rhode Island visits No. 22 Dayton on Wednesday.

The game will mark the first time in the history of the conference that two nationally-ranked teams have faced each other in their Atlantic-10 opener.

The Flyers, who are a perfect 9-0 at home this season, enter the contest with 11 straight wins, matching their longest streak since the 1989-90 season.

Senior guard Brian Roberts is the Flyers' only starter averaging in double figures at 19.1 points per game. Roberts also leads Dayton in free throw percentage, assists, minutes played and 3-point field goal percentage.

Freshman forward Chris Wright, who has made 10 starts, averages 10.9 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Flyers.

The Rams, winners of nine straight, have matched their best start since the 1946-47 season.

Senior forward Will Daniels averages 18.3 points and 7.3 rebounds for Rhode Island. Junior guard Jimmy Baron averages 15.7 points. Junior forward Kahiem Seawright, senior guard Parfait Bitee and sophomore guard Keith Cothran are all averaging 9.5 points per game for the Rams.

Dayton leads the all-time series, 11-6, but Rhode Island has won three of the last four games, including a 75-74 decision last season.