Dayton coach Archie Miller knew the importance of beating Murray State on Saturday even beyond what it might do for the Flyers’ postseason hopes.

He pointed out that players don’t feel much like spreading the Christmas cheer when they go into the holiday hounded by a loss.

“The biggest thing is giving these guys a chance to experience Christmas on a little bit of a positive note,” Miller after his team’s 77-68 win. “I don’t know very many professions or opportunities where, around Christmas time, you can really feel like dirt.

“Our kids are really happy. They’re confident right now. And the good thing is, they get a few days with their families.”

UD players left after the game for Christmas break and won’t return for practice until Wednesday afternoon to prepare for Sunday’s game at Southern Cal. And no one departed in a better frame of mind than sophomore Matt Derenbecker.

The 6-foot-7 wing had 14 points in the victory, making 4-of-6 three-pointers. He’s 11-for-17 from outside the half-moon in the last three games.

“I’m stepping into the shot in rhythm, not even thinking about it but just knowing every shot is going in,” Derenbecker said. “And if not, I just try to go on to the next one.”

Derenbecker, who sat out last season after transferring from LSU, is a more athletic version of Luke Fabrizius, the 6-9 former Flyer who parlayed his dandy outside stroke into a pro career in Germany this year.

“Luke is one of my best friends. He kind of took me under his wing last year. I saw how those 3’s from deep range could open up a game and change a game no matter how it’s going,” Derenbecker said.

“He’s a great player, and I hope the best for him overseas. But I definitely think I can bring more court presence to the game, whether it’s passing or guarding the ball.”

Flyer fans haven’t begun serenading Derenbecker with an appreciate chant the way Fabrizius drew a collective “L-u-u-u-u-k-e” from the crowd. But the left-hander from Louisiana triggered some of the loudest cheers in the Murray State game with his clutch shooting display.

“I can hear the crowd,” said Derenbecker, who sometimes stokes the noise by leaving his arm extended in the air as he runs down the floor after makes. “I definitely feed off them. I think our whole team does.

“The crowd was loud (for Murray State), and once we got the lead, they just carried us through the game. When we were down, they never gave up on us.

“It feels good to win it for them. And it feels great to hit a couple of shots for them.”