DAYTON, Ohio - The Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks (0-1) fell to the Dayton Flyers (1-0) in their 2011-12 season opener Saturday afternoon in Dayton, Ohio, 87-58.

Senior guard Tommie Tyler and freshman guard Obi Emegano led the Leathernecks with 15 points, both finishing 7-of-8 from the stripe, while junior newcomer Terell Parks finished with 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Besides hitting on 7-of-8 free throws, Emegano went 4-for-4 from the floor.

The face paced first half finished with both teams shooting over 50 percent from the floor (Western- 65.5% | Dayton 50.0%).

Shortly after scoring two quick buckets in his Leatherneck debut, freshman guard Obi Emegano picked up two fouls. Then returned only to pick up his third and was forced to sit most of the first in foul trouble.

The two teams were evenly matched throughout the first, with the Flyers taking a 41-38 lead in the halftime; there were eight lead changes in the half.

Tommie Tyler finished the first with a game-high 13 points, going 5-for-6 from the line and finishing 4-of-6 from the field. Also keeping Western within striking distance was Terell Parks who make multiple moves in the post on his way to four first half field goals (4-6 | eight points).  

Dayton carried its momentum from the late in the first into the second, pulling out to a 52-41 lead with 14:14 left in the game. The Flyers never surrendered their lead, defeating Western 87-58.

Dayton was led by forward Josh Benson who finished with 21 points, going 10-for-13 from the floor. Forward Chris Johnson led the team in rebounds with 10. A total of four Flyers finished in double-figures.

The Leathernecks will continue its nonconference schedule at Michigan (1-0) next Thursday. The two teams are scheduled to tip at 7:30 p.m.