YPSILANTI, Mich. – In search of a road win at Eastern Michigan, the University of Toledo men’s basketball team came away empty in a 61-57 setback at the Convocation Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Rockets dropped their third straight game after home losses to Bowling Green and Kent State last week, and became the first conference team to lose to the Eagles this season.
“It’s a disappointing loss, and the breaks aren’t going our way,” Toledo coach Tod Kowalczyk said.
“Right now, we have to create our own breaks and have some good things go our way. Their zone is really good with their length and size. When you play against it, you just have to make shots.
“We had some good chances today.”
Marreon Jackson and Dylan Alderson paced Toledo (11-11, 3-6 MAC) with 14 points each, Keshaun Saunders scored 12, and Luke Knapke had 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Toledo was without junior guard Spencer Littleson, who missed his second straight game with a shoulder injury.
With a thin bench, T.J. Smith had two points for the only bench points of the game for the Rockets.
Yeikson Montero broke out for 26 points to lead Eastern Michigan (11-10, 1-7 MAC),
Boubacar Toure had 12 points and 16 rebounds, and Ty Groce scored 10.
Toledo was just 18-of-48 from the field and 9-of-27 from the 3-point line against Eastern Michigan's 2-3 zone.
“I thought we moved the ball against their zone pretty darn well and were able to get some open shots,” Kowalczyk said. “Against that zone, you have to make those when you get them.”
Eastern Michigan tied the game at 40-40 in the second half on a 3-pointer by Montero with 13:09 left. The Eagles then went on a 14-3 run to take an 11-point lead at 54-43 with 7:37 remaining.
The run was capped off by another 3-pointer by Montero.
Toledo cut the lead to five points at 59-54 with 1:36 left on a layup by Marreon Jackson.
Montero then made 1-of-2 free throws, but Darion Spottsville stole the ball from Alderson on the next Toledo possession and Groce made 1-of-2 at the line to make it 61-54 with 58 seconds left.
Marreon Jackson hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 61-57 with 50 seconds left. Toledo would have a few more chances as the Eagles missed some free throws, but could not cut into the lead any further.
“We got driven too much and allowed them to penetrate and take it to the basket during a stretch in the second half when they were able to get a double-digit lead,” Kowalczyk said.
“We really needed to make a basket during that stretch but didn’t. Sometimes it’s that simple.”
First Published February 2, 2020, 12:21 a.m.
