Field Level Media
Nov 27, 2019
Devon Dotson scored 31 points, Udoka Azubuike added 29 points, and No. 4-ranked Kansas outlasted Dayton 90-84 in overtime in a thrilling Maui Invitational championship game on Wednesday.
In what was a back-and-forth contest throughout, Kansas (6-1) trailed by eight points with just under eight minutes remaining in regulation -- the largest deficit either team faced throughout the afternoon.
Dotson and Azubuike led a rally on both sides of the floor. In addition to shouldering much of the scoring load, Azubuike got a piece of a shot attempt that would have given Dayton a critical, one-point lead in the final minute. He finished with four blocked shots before fouling out in overtime.
Azubuike began the overtime in much the same way he closed regulation, scoring the first points of OT and two of his nine in the period on a baby hook in the paint. The Jayhawks owned a 52-22 advantage in points in the paint, which for Dayton was a dramatic departure from the Flyers' strategy in its preceding wins on Monday and Tuesday.
Kansas defended more effectively than Georgia or Virginia Tech were able to do when forward Obi Toppin scored 25 and 24 points. He shot 6-of-11 from the floor on Wednesday and had to work for each of his 18 points and game-high nine rebounds.
Toppin was one four Flyers scorers in double figures. Ryan Mikesell scored 19 points, Ibi Watson added 16 and Jalen Crutcher finished with 12.
Crutcher made a game-tying 3-pointer from between the top of the key and the midcourt circle. Kansas nearly answered with the game-winner on the ensuing possession, as Isaiah Moss' near-half court heave rolled around the rim and off.
Dayton (5-1) compensated for its lack of interior scoring with a torrid 16-for-33 shooting from 3-point range. Crutcher and Watson each made four 3-pointers, and Mikesell hit three. Mikesell scored Dayton's first nine overtime points.
He twice scored baskets that brought the Flyers within one point, but 7-for-9 foul shooting in the extra frame made a difference for Kansas. So, too, did Marcus Garrett.
Garrett scored on a double-pump lay-in through traffic that pushed the Kansas lead to five points with under a minute remaining. He finished with 18 points and seven rebounds.
--Field Level Media