EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — The University of Toledo women’s basketball team closed out the third quarter of Sunday’s game at SIUE on a 16-5 run, paving the way to a 66-57 win at the Vadalabene Center.
The Rockets (6-2) trailed the Cougars (4-6) 33-31 at the midway point of the third quarter before scoring the next six points to take a four-point lead, 37-33, with 3:21 to go. UT upped its lead to double figures by the end of the third quarter and stayed in control for the remainder of the game to clinch its third straight victory.
“I wasn’t happy with the amount of turnovers tonight,” head coach Tricia Cullop said. “Limiting turnovers is something we have done really well this season, but we also haven’t faced a team that pressed the whole game like SIUE does. Today’s game shows that we still have a lot to work on, but I am proud of our team.”
Junior Sophia Wiard scored a game-high 20 points, making 8-of-13 shots from the floor, and pulled down eight rebounds. Junior Quinesha Lockett (15 points) and sophomore Khera Goss (10 points) both reached double figures in scoring as well. Sophomore Sammi Mikonowicz nearly tallied a double-double, collecting a game-high 10 rebounds and scoring eight points.
“I was really proud of the way Sophia played today,” Cullop said. “I thought she showed great leadership and she had one of her best offensive performances. She did a really good job of crashing the boards as well, as did Sammi and Quinesha. I’m proud of the work all three put in on the glass.”
Bolstered by a 51.7 field goal percentage in the second half, Toledo shot 45.5 percent from the floor for the game compared with SIUE’s 36.5 percent.
Neither team was very successful from hitting shots beyond the arc, as both squads combined shot 3-for-28 from long range.
Following Sunday’s game against SIUE, the Rockets will head to Springfield, Mo. for Tuesday’s game at Missouri State (8-2). That matchup will tip at noon.
First Published December 20, 2021, 4:24 a.m.
