CLEVELAND — Survive and advance.

With its season on the brink Thursday, the University of Toledo played five of its best minutes all year. The No. 4 seed Rockets outscored fifth-seeded Ohio 14-9 in overtime for a thrilling 90-85 win to advance to the Mid-American Conference tournament semifinals.

“Heck of a game,” said Toledo coach Tod Kowalczyk, who was incredulous and euphoric. “Proud of our win. We’re moving on.”

And of all things, UT’s 350th-ranked defense played a starring role. After Ohio shot 50 percent in the second half, the Rockets limited the Bobcats to 3-for-9 shooting in overtime.

In Toledo’s 96-82 win over Ohio on March 7, Elmore James had a season-high 20 points and six 3s. The Rockets held him to seven points and zero baskets from beyond the arc on Thursday.

“That was a big key for us,” Kowalczyk said.

Sam Lewis — UT’s best offensive player and someone whose defensive intensity was lacking most of the season — carried the sword for Toledo. Along with his 21 points, Lewis had four blocks and three steals. His defensive intensity was detectable and contagious, producing an almost unrecognizable level of grit for the Rockets.

“Fighting, staying together collectively,” Lewis said. “Our key word was just mucking it up, making it a tough game, having heart. We gave up some games in the regular season having no heart, so that’s what we’re trying to do moving forward.”

The game featured 16 ties and 16 lead changes. Ohio led 15-13 and then not again until 50-49 with 12:20 left in the second half. The lead changed seemingly every time down the court the rest of the game.

Both teams were at the free-throw line in the final five seconds of regulation. With 4.7 seconds left and the score tied at 75, Ohio’s Jackson Paveletzke was fouled. The 76-percent free-throw shooter only made one. After a timeout, Toledo had four seconds to extend its season. Sonny Wilson went coast to coast and got fouled with one second left. He made one of two free throws to send the game to overtime.

“Continue to stay positive,” said Toledo guard Isaiah Adams, who scored a season-high 26 points. “That’s what we’ve been preaching.”

They’ll need it at 5 p.m. Friday when the Rockets play No. 1 seed Akron, which swept the regular-season series. The Zips bludgeoned Bowling Green 96-67 in the MAC quarterfinals. But the second half of UT’s loss to Akron last week may have been a turning point, with Toledo scoring 63 points and shooting 73 percent.

That 20-minute assault gives the Rockets a fighting chance and a dose of optimism.

“We’ll play them today,” a hyped Adams said. “We’re ready to go.”

Wilson finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds on Thursday for the first double-double of his career, Seth Hubbard had 12 points and was 8 of 8 from the free-throw line, and Javan Simmons had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Simmons and Adams fouled out.

The Rockets only shot 43 percent, but they were 4 of 6 in overtime.

“It’s huge, especially when Bryce [Ford] has a game like he had tonight,” Kowalczyk said about Hubbard’s 12 points. “We need guys to step up. Seth’s a guy that is a proven scorer in this league. He’s a guy that can get downhill. He’s a feel-good guy, too. When he makes a couple tough mid-range shots, you feel pretty good about the next one going in. Boy we needed him tonight, and he stepped up big time.” (Ford scored zero points.)

The Bobcats were the preseason favorite in the MAC but finished the season 16-16. They were only 10-8 in a down MAC, though injuries were a significant problem all year. Their entire roster was only available for nine games.

Coach Jeff Boals is now 1-11 against Kowalczyk, including 1-2 in the MAC tournament, a remarkable number considering the programs’ status as two of the most consistent in the conference.

“It was a pretty hurt locker room,” Boals said. “I thought we competed, we battled, and obviously didn’t make enough plays to win the game.”

Paveletzke had a game-high 28 points for the Bobcats, who shot 32 of 69 from the field.

Ohio’s biggest problem was Lewis. In overtime, he had eight of UT’s 14 points and a blocked shot.

“Your best players gotta step up and make plays,” Kowalczyk said.

Toledo is marching on because of it.

First Published March 13, 2025, 8:06 p.m.