GAME NOTES: Tied with VCU for the top spot in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings, the streaking Dayton Flyers are set to host the Saint Louis Billikens at UD Arena on Saturday.

Seeking their first 5-0 start in conference play since the 2003-04 campaign, the Flyers have won all but one of their last 15 regular season A-10 outings. The team has lost a total of just two games overall to UConn and Arkansas and since the setback to the Razorbacks last month, Dayton has rattled off seven consecutive victories. The latest triumph took place on Wednesday in a 61-50 decision over La Salle at home.

Meanwhile, the Billikens got off to a rough start in conference play, losing three straight right out of the gate to the likes of Rhode Island, George Washington and Davidson. However, three days ago the team bounced back with a 78-69 victory against Duquesne at home to stem the tide at least for the moment.

The Flyers hold a slim 26-25 advantage in the all-time series after the teams split their two matchups a season ago, with each school winning on the road.

The Billikens turned a seven-point, first-half deficit into an 18-point lead in the second half against the Dukes at Chaifetz Arena on Wednesday, eventually holding on for the nine-point home win. Ash Yacoubou registered a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, followed by reserve Mike Crawford with 14 points in just 16 minutes of action.

Marcus Bartley converted 4-of-7 shots behind the 3-point line to arrive at 13 points, while Malik Yarbrough and Davell Roby pitched in with 11 and 10 points, respectively, the former accounting for seven boards and five assists as well.

The offense has struggled quite a bit this season for the Billikens, save for their latest outing. The team is generating only 61.9 ppg at the moment, but is giving up 65.1 ppg which is making it difficult to win on a consistent basis. Yarbrough is the lone double-digit performer with 10.8 ppg, adding 5.0 rpg which is second only to Yacoubou (5.2 rpg).

La Salle actually led by two points at the break against the Flyers earlier this week, but that was before the Explorers made a total of just nine field goals in the second half and the hosts knocked down 63.6 percent from the floor in the final minutes in order to take control of the clash. Scoochie Smith and Dyshawn Pierre were the only players to score in double figures for Dayton with 16 points apiece, the latter also clearing a game-high 14 rebounds in the triumph.

Pierre, who has scored in double figures in six straight games, is responsible for 12.8 ppg overall as he shoots 49.7 percent from the floor, but only 62.3 percent at the free-throw line. Pierre, who trails only Jordan Sibert (15.6 ppg) in the scoring department, also accounts for 6.9 rpg which trails only Devon Scott (7.4 rpg) although the latter has been out of action now for a month due to a disciplinary issue.

Even with several players out of action for various reasons, the Flyers still have the firepower to take down a visiting program such as Saint Louis, and that should be clear once the smoke clears on Saturday afternoon.