The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
6-4
Marshall
7-4
Akron Edged by Marshall, 75-74
December 15 | Men's Basketball
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Post Game Press Conference
Akron, Ohio – Visiting Marshall used a late burst to take the lead in a close game, then held off a frenetic last-minute push to capture a 75-74 win over the Akron Zips Saturday afternoon at James A. Rhodes Arena.
After the Zips rallied to take a 62-61 lead on a layup by sophomore forward Jaden Sayles (Cincinnati, Ohio) with 8:29 remaining in the game, the Thundering Herd went on a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to take a six-point lead they would not surrender as a last-second 3-point attempt by redshirt sophomore guard Loren Cristian Jackson (Chicago, Ill.) was off the mark.
Jackson led Akron with a career-high 26 points - including 5-of-8 on 3-pointers - and junior forward Daniel Utomi (Houston, Texas) tallied 18 points. Junior guard Tyler Cheese (Albany, Ga.) added 14 for Akron and senior guard Jimond Ivey (Cleveland, Ohio) added nine points, six rebounds and two assists in defeat. Ivey now has 994 career points and is six points shy of becoming just the 44th 1,000-point scorer in program history.
It was a high-scoring, offensive game from the outset as both teams came out of the starting blocks on fire. The two sides combined to make 8-of-10 3-pointers to begin the game as Akron sank its first four triples, two each by Utomi and Jackson.
The pace continued for the entire first half as Marshall shot a scorching 50 percent (9-of-18) from deep and the Zips matched the percentage, making 6-of-12 of its triples. Ironically, both sides shot below 50 percent on two-point tries before intermission and the Thundering Herd were able to edge out to a 42-36 halftime lead by forcing nine turnovers and converting them into 10 points.
The visitors also held a 12-3 edge in bench scoring at the break, but Akron kept it close thanks to a huge first half by Utomi, whose 13 points in the opening stanza led all scorers. On the day, the two teams missed just 1-of-21 attempted free throws and converted 23-of-54 shots from long distance (42.6 percent).
Senior guard Jon Elmore led Marshall with 19 points, but the Zips were able to hold him below his season average of 21 points and forced him into 35-percent (7-of-20) shooting for the game.
Akron is back in action on Dec. 18 when it hosts Tennessee State at 7 p.m. It will be the Zips' final home game prior to Christmas and the contest can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on 1350-AM.
