Dailey Late Shot Lifts Akron Past Top-Ranked Toledo Rockets, 95-94

Saturday, January 16

Akron, Ohio

2 PM

University of Akron

5-3,3-2MAC

Toledo

11-4,6-1MAC

OT 1

Toledo

Akron

Dailey Late Shot Lifts Akron Past Top-Ranked Toledo Rockets, 95-94

January 16 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Follow Akron Basketball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram | Follow Coach Groce on Twitter

Box Score PDF | Game Notes PDF | ESPN+ | Live Stats | | TuneIn - Akron-IMG Sports Network | Akron Basketball Schedule

Postgame Press Conference | Highlights

The best big shot is the last big shot and that shot was a cold-blooded Dailey triple on Saturday afternoon at James A. Rhodes Arena.

AKRON, Ohio – Senior guard Maishe Dailey (Beachwood, Ohio) laced a game-winning 3-pointer from the right wing with 2.9 seconds remaining as the Akron Zips stunned the Mid-American Conference-leading Toledo Rockets in a 95-94 overtime win at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Dailey's big shot came on a cross-court assist from senior guard Loren Cristian Jackson (Chicago, Ill.), capping a monster day for both players.

The Mid-American Conference's leading scorer delivered another standout performance as Jackson notched 34 points and seven assists for the Zips (5-3, 3-2 MAC), none bigger than his diagonal pass to Dailey as time wound down. Junior guard Bryan Trimble, Jr. (Kansas, City, Mo.) dropped 19 points and Dailey added 14 in victory, while freshman guard Garvin Clarke (Euclid, Ohio) led the bench brigade with seven as part of an 18-point day for the supporting cast.

Akron won by overcoming a seven-point (92-85) deficit in the final 1:46 of the extra period, knocking Toledo off its perch as the only unbeaten team in MAC play.

It was a close game for much of the afternoon as the MAC-leading Rockets (11-4, 6-1 MAC) converted 12 3-pointers, but each time they looked to deliver a potential knockout punch, the Zips absorbed the blow and delivered one of their own. Often, those replies came in the form of an Akron triple as the Zips drained 14 of their own with Jackson and Trimble each making five.

When the visitors unleashed an 11-3 run midway through the second half to edge out to a 64-55 lead, it was Dailey who ignited the Zips' response with an offensive rebound putback. The ensuing 7-0 run whittled the Akron deficit back to two (64-62) and set the stage for the game's dramatic finish.

Sophomore forward Mikal Dawson (Huntington, W.Va.) came up clutch with a conventional three-point play, converting a layup and foul shot following a missed shot with 2:47 remaining to put Akron ahead 78-76. Moments later, a putback by sophomore forward Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) allowed the Zips to retake the lead as the two sides went back and forth.

The biggest shot of regulation came with 4.8 seconds remaining, as sophomore forward Ali Ali (Kendallville, Ind.) calmly stroked a corner 3-pointer to tie the game at 83-all. Akron forced a Toledo turnover as time expired to send the game to overtime.

Akron won the contest in large part due to an all-around rebounding effort that saw six players grab four or more caroms, pacing the Zips to a 43-34 advantage on the glass.

In a game with seven ties, 16 lead changes and too many momentum swings to count, the intensity was peaking from the opening tip and every rebound, foul and loose ball was vital.

Down 15-7 minutes into the game, the Zips unleashed a ferocious 21-0 run over a span of 5:53, suffocating the Rockets defensively while shooting 6-of-8 from the field, including two made 3-pointers, and sank all three of their free throws to claim a 28-15 lead.

Jackson notched eight points in the run and delivered a slick assist to senior forward Camron Reece (Oakland, Calif.) for a dunk during the surge, while Clarke had four points and a steal in short succession.

It was a half marked by runs, as the two teams swapped leads and momentum throughout. Both the Zips and Rockets appeared poised to seize control of the contest in the early going, but the game eventually settled into a nip-and-tuck affair with Toledo thriving from beyond the arc and Akron bolstered by its strong bench play.

Senior guard Marreon Jackson led Toledo with 24 points and senior guard Spencer Littleson chipped in with 21 in defeat.

Akron will take on another top MAC contender when it travels northwest to take on the Bowling Green Falcons on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. The conference showdown can be heard on WHLO 640-AM.