Dayton Flyers

An MRI examination revealed that University of Dayton junior forward Josh Benson suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during last night’s 62-50 win over Ole Miss.  The surgery and rehab to repair the injury will put Benson out for the remainder of the 2011-12 season.  The 6-9 junior had started every game this year at forward for the Flyers.

“Everyone in our program feels for Josh right now,” Flyer head coach Archie Miller said.  “He was really playing at both ends of the floor with a confidence that comes from being dedicated to getting better every day.  But he will still have a big role for our team as he comes back from this.  We will need his leadership and enthusiasm with us as we head into conference.

“He knows he has the support of his family, his coaches and his teammates and I expect him to have a big year next season.”

Benson is UD’s second-leading scorer (10.9) and rebounder (5.2), up from averages of 5.6 and 3.5 a year ago. He leads UD and is fourth in the Atlantic 10 Conference in FG% (.610, 64-105).  He scored seven points and had four rebounds in 11 minutes against Ole Miss before suffering the injury.  Benson had scored in double figures in five of the last six games going into Friday’s contest.

Dayton, who finished non-conference play 10-4, will play Saint Louis at home on Wednesday, Jan. 4 in the A-10 opener for both teams.  Game time is 8:00 p.m. ET.