The Flyers to at least 21 wins in each of his last four years the first time since the late 1960s that Dayton had four straight 20win seasons.In 200203 Dayton had a 246 overall record including a league best 142 mark in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Seven of the wins were on the road; the most road wins for the .
Flyers in 33 years. Purnell’s team then won the Atlantic 10 Tournament with a 7972 victory over Temple that clinched an NCAA automatic berth for the Flyers. It was the second time Purnell had beaten Hall of Fame coach John Chaney in 200203.In his final season at Dayton the Flyers gained a victory over then #9 ranked Marquette who advanced .
To the NCAA Final Four at season’s end and a victory over a top 20 Cincinnati team. The victory total was the most for the Dayton program since the 196667 team won 25 games. The season included a ninegame winning streak the longest for the Flyer program since 198990 and the squad finished 16th in the final regular season poll .