Dayton players danced at midcourt and then lingered on ladders as they cut down the nets at Madison Square Garden.

Forgive these Flyers for taking a little extra time to soak it all in. They’re not as accustomed to trophy ceremonies as the North Carolina team they had just beaten.

Marcus Johnson scored 20 points and Dayton denied last year’s national champs another title, topping the Tar Heels 79-68 Thursday night to win the NIT.

“This game kind of is a capsule of our season,” coach Brian Gregory said. “Started off great, had some tough times and then just kind of fight through, and ended up very successful at the end.”

Relying on depth, defense and some clutch 3-point shooting, the Flyers took home their first title in 42 years and handed North Carolina one more disheartening loss at the end of a lousy season.

“It’s a tough feeling right now, there’s no question about that. It’s been an unusual year for North Carolina basketball,” coach Roy Williams said, his eyes red and puffy as he spoke about his seniors. “I’ve lived a charmed life in the past, and this has been a little tougher. I’m so proud of our guys for coming to play in this National Invitation Tournament and playing so well up until today and getting us to this point. We just didn’t finish the job.”

Reserve guard Paul Williams added 16 points for No. 3 seed Dayton (25-12), which bounced back from a disappointing regular season of its own to win its third NIT title and first since 1968 under coach Don Donoher.

Picked to win the Atlantic 10 Conference, the athletic and experienced Flyers faded late and missed the NCAA tournament before turning things around and finishing on a high note.