"I thought both teams played their tails off and today's game was . . .
Dailey's big shot came on a cross-court assist from senior guard Loren Cristian Jackson, capping a monster day for both players.
Jackson, the Mid-American Conference's leading scorer, delivered another standout performance as he notched 34 points and seven assists for the Zips (5-3, 3-2 MAC). His biggest helper was his diagonal pass to Dailey as overtime wound down.
Junior guard Bryan Trimble, Jr. dropped 19 points and Dailey added 14, while freshman guard Garvin Clarke led the bench brigade with seven as part of an 18-point day for the supporting cast.
Senior guard Marreon Jackson led Toledo with 24 points and senior guard Spencer Littleson chipped in with 21 in defeat.
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. However, 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 build a 64-55 lead, it was Dailey who ignited the Zips' response with an offensive rebound putback. The ensuing 7-0 run whittled Akron's deficit back to two (64-62) and set the stage for the game's dramatic finish.
Sophomore forward Mikal Dawson 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 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 calmly stroked a corner 3-pointer to tie the game at 83-all. UA then 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.
(Courtesy UA Athletics/MRO Edit)