AMHERST, N.Y. — The University of Toledo women’s basketball team let a five-point lead slip away in a matter of 33 seconds with less than a minute to go, but sophomore guard and Springfield High School graduate Kendall Carruthers saved the day by sinking a 3-pointer in the closing seconds as the Rockets picked up a 58-55 victory at Buffalo on Wednesday.

ICE IN HER VIENS 🧊#TeamToledo | @2Carruthersk pic.twitter.com/XHzU7UgI1j

— Toledo Women's Basketball (@ToledoWBB) February 5, 2025 

Sammi Mikonowicz (Rossford High School graduate) buried a 3-pointer with 44 seconds to go that put Toledo ahead 54-49. Buffalo’s Chellia Watson notched a pair of 3s around 1 of 2 free throws by the Rockets Jessica Cook, tying the game at 55 with 11 seconds left.

Then Toledo (16-5, 8-3 Mid-American Conference) got it to Carruthers for the game-winner with five seconds to go.

The victory allowed the Rockets to pull into a three-way tie for second in the MAC with Buffalo and Kent State, which lost 73-69 Wednesday night at Northern Illinois. Unbeaten Ball State is three games ahead of the field.

Carruthers finished tied for the team high with 14 points, plus she added seven rebounds. Mikonowicz had 14 points and nine rebounds, while Nan Garcia finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists for the Rockets.

Toledo built a 34-20 lead by halftime, but Buffalo (19-3, 8-3) was able to get back into it using a 21-9 third-quarter advantage.

"It was important for us to build up that lead in the first half," UT coach Ginny Boggess said. "Buffalo is a great third-quarter team, and we knew they were going to come out blazing. The fourth quarter became a possession basketball game, and our toughness and leadership was instrumental down the stretch. We got stops in the fourth quarter, and we switched up our defense when needed. I'm proud of the gritty performance on the road."

Watson paced the Bulls with 28 points, 19 of which came in the second half. Kirsten Lewis-Williams added 11 points and Lani Cornfield 10 for Buffalo.

Toledo shot 45.2 percent (19 of 42) from the floor, to the Bulls’ 36.7 percent (22 of 60). The Rockets also held the advantage on the boards, 45-22.

Toledo is in Norfolk at 2 p.m. Saturday to take on Old Dominion as part of the MAC-Sun Belt Conference Challenge. Their next home date is 2 p.m. on Feb. 15 when Akron pays a visit to Savage Arena.

First Published February 5, 2025, 11:29 p.m.