The University of Toledo’s downward spiral continued on Tuesday with a 96-87 loss to Akron at Savage Arena, the Rockets’ fourth consecutive loss and sixth in the past seven games. 

This time, however, UT showed signs of life, trimming a 24-point second-half deficit to three with 2:07 left.

Toledo was 24 of 33 shooting in the second half. If not for shaky free throw shooting — the Rockets finished 16 of 25 from the line — they could have completed the biggest comeback in program history.

During one stretch, Toledo made 11 straight shots and 18 of 21, helping them outscore Akron 55-34 over 17 minutes.

The first-place Zips built a 15-point lead midway through the first half, thanks to an 11-0 run, and led 45-24 at the half, shooting 50 percent from the field and 3-point range. They were even better in the second half — 15 of 22 from the field and 5 of 8 from 3, a defensive trend for the Rockets all season.

Six Akron players scored in double figures, led by Shammah Scott’s 16 points. The Zips were 19 of 22 from the free throw line and outrebounded Toledo 37-24. They led by double digits for more than 26 minutes. 

The Rockets forced 18 Akron turnovers that led to 28 points.

Another season-long malady has been the lack of production from UT’s bench. Akron’s bench outscored Toledo 41-8. The Rockets’ backups have only outscored an opponent’s bench 10 times all season — and one of those games was against NAIA Defiance.

The bench has been outscored by at least 30 points in each of the past three games and by 20 points eight times this season.

Sam Lewis finished with a game-high 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field and 4 of 8 from beyond the arc. Javan Simmons had 22 points and made all nine free throw attempts, Sonny Wilson scored 16 points, and Isaiah Adams had 14.

The first-half deficit was partially due to poor defense, but Toledo’s offense offered little help. The Rockets shot 9 of 30 and did not make a single 3-point attempt. They had a drought of seven straight missed shots in the first half and three separate instances of three straight misses. 

Akron missed three consecutive shots twice the entire game. 

STAT TO KNOW

In the past three games — losses to Kent State, Buffalo, and Ohio — Toledo’s opponents have shot a combined 59.4 percent (110-185).

QUOTABLE

“The storyline is poor start again. Unbelievable effort in the second half. But you can’t dig yourself a hole like that. I don’t want to go back and count how many missed layups we had to start the game. Defensively, we just got to be smarter. … Our offense, that’s the biggest mystery.” — Toledo coach Tod Kowalczyk

UP NEXT

The Rockets close out the regular season on Friday with a 7 p.m. tip against Ohio. The Mid-American Conference tournament begins next Thursday. Toledo is alive for the fourth, fifth, and sixth seeds. 

First Published March 5, 2025, 2:21 a.m.