The University of Toledo opened the Mid-American Conference home schedule with a 90-87 win over Eastern Michigan on Tuesday.
The Rockets withstood a furious second-half rally, outscoring Eastern 17-14 over the final 2 minutes, 36 seconds to improve to 2-0 in the MAC. (The Eagles made a meaningless 3 at the buzzer.)
Eastern made an important buzzer-beating 3 to end the first half, cutting a 16-point deficit to 13. Then the Eagles started the second half with a 14-4 run to pull within three at 50-47. They tied the score at 66 after a 10-0 run sparked by a technical foul.
Bryce Ford made a corner 3 to give Toledo a 66-56 lead with 8:21 left but got whistled for a T while jawing with the Eagles’ Da’Sean Nelson, a Toledo native. Eastern made two free throws and a layup, immediately trimming UT’s lead to six. Back-to-back 3s tied it 67 seconds after the Rockets led by double digits.
Toledo restored its advantage to five, with Eastern again roaring back to take its first lead of the game, 74-73, with 2:47 to play.
Seven of UT’s final 17 points came at the free throw line.
Both teams shot better than 50 percent and had success from beyond the arc — Eastern made 10 3s, and Toledo had seven.
Sam Lewis led the Rockets with 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists, Sonny Wilson (five turnovers) had 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists, Ford had 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting, Javan Simmons had 14 points and seven rebounds, and Isaiah Adams had 12 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
Toledo assisted on 17 of 30 baskets and scored 26 points off turnovers.
Eastern’s 87 points came almost entirely from three players. Jalen Terry scored 26 points, Christian Henry had 22, and Nelson had 20.
A 14-0 run in the first half turned a 17-all tie into a 31-17 UT lead. The Rockets were up 46-33 at halftime, scoring 18 of their 46 points off turnovers.
STAT TO KNOW
Since 2018, Toledo is 48-15 during the month of January.
QUOTABLE
“That’s a Rocket MAC battle right there.” — Toledo coach Tod Kowalczyk
UP NEXT
The Rockets host Central Michigan at 8 p.m. Friday in a nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network. The Chippewas are 6-8 overall and 0-2 in the MAC.
First Published January 8, 2025, 2:41 a.m.
