LAS VEGAS — Toledo’s holiday vacation to Las Vegas began with a roadblock and ended in a celebratory burnout.
The Rockets completed a spirited comeback to upend Pacific, 66-65, Friday in the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic at the South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa.
“I’m just really proud of this team because they stuck together through some adversity,” UT coach Tricia Cullop said.
“They never gave up. Today, I thought it culminated in them doing all the little things.”
UT (4-6) trailed by 16 points in the second half before taking the lead with 1:16 left on a Nakiah Black 3-pointer.
A 50-foot heave by Sophia Wiard to end the third quarter cut Pacific’s lead to seven, sending a jolt of energy through the arena and UT’s bench, which raced onto the court to embrace Wiard.
The shot was part of a 31-14 run to end the game, bringing a cacophony of cheers from the couple dozen Toledo fans in South Point Arena, drowning out the din of slot machines in the spacious casino just steps from the court.
“It’s amazing,” said Black, who led all scorers with 23 points, one shy of a career high.
“We have so many fans here. Just to be able to get that win with them because they've been through the highs and lows with us, it feels so good to go home for Christmas break and open the presents with two smiles.”
Pacific (7-4) shot nearly 50 percent during the first three quarters before encountering a Toledo defense that refused to yield in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers were 1 of 11, committing five fouls and four turnovers during the final 10 minutes. UT had 17 points off turnovers for the game.
“Stellar,” Cullop said.
“The momentum of that shot helped. But we got some of their better players in foul trouble, so they had to play timid. Coach [Nitra] Perry did a great job of getting our players to pressure and just bother them so they couldn't get right into their offense.
“It takes you off your timing and your pace.”
Freshman guard Quinesha Lockett, who had 11 points, was the only other Rocket in double figures.
Senior guard Marielle Santucci had eight rebounds and six assists.
Valerie Higgins led Pacific with 19 points, but missed a layup in the final second that would have won the game.
Undersized UT -- Pacific had multiple guards over 6-feet tall — allowed 32 points in the paint and struggled mightily on offense until the fourth quarter.
The Rockets were 13 of 38 before making 6 of 13 field goals in the last quarter to outscore Pacific 15-7.
“It’s fun to see them finally see the benefit of all the hard work and a pat on the back and a chance to celebrate,” Cullop said.
“They’ve been so close to this so many times this season. I’m just so happy they can go home for Christmas break feeling good about this last one.”
The Rockets were delayed Wednesday by a traffic accident on I-75 en route to Detroit Metro Airport that led to a three-hour standstill and missed flight.
The team arrived in three separate waves, but missed a dinner and show on the Las Vegas Strip on Wednesday night. However, it didn’t stop them from riding the roller coaster at New York, New York, even dragging a petrified Cullop aboard.
Fatigue contributed to UT’s 71-64 loss to Troy on Thursday, a game in which the Rockets trailed by 15 and cut the lead to three in the fourth quarter.
Pacific, ranked No. 34 in the RPI, is one of the best mid-major programs in the country. The Tigers lost by 12 at fourth-ranked Oregon State and 11 at No. 10 UCLA.
The West Coast swing concludes UT’s longest road trip of the season, which included four games away from Savage Arena and began Dec. 7 at Duquesne. When the Rockets host Canisius Dec. 29, 26 days will have passed since their most recent home game.
It will also mark nine days since a game of any kind, dating to a potential season-changing comeback in the Nevada desert.
“The confidence that we’re going to have going forward,” Black said, “we just have to keep it up and come back with the same hunger.”
First Published December 21, 2019, 4:05 a.m.
