Toledo defeats Ohio 101-85
Toledo Outlasts Ohio in Thrilling Conference Matchup
Toledo, Ohio played host to conference rival Ohio on Thursday night at the Savage Arena, where the Rockets emerged victorious 101-85 behind a balanced attack that showcased their home-court advantage.
In front of a raucous crowd, Toledo took an early lead and never looked back, outscoring the Bobcats by as many as 18 points in the third quarter. The Rockets' high-powered offense was fueled by Sonny Wilson's 25 points, including 1 three-pointer, on an impressive 64.3% shooting clip from the field.
The home team's defensive effort was equally impressive, with Sean Craig leading the way with 11 rebounds and 15 points, while Kyler Vanderjagt chipped in with six assists and nine points. Toledo's bench also played a key role, providing a boost of energy that helped to seal the win.
Ohio, meanwhile, struggled to find its rhythm behind the arc, where they shot just 0-1 from three-point range on the night. The Bobcats' offense was stifled by Toledo's stingy defense, which held them to just 38% shooting from the field and limited their points in the paint to a mere 21.
Despite being outrebounded 23-13, Ohio still managed to stay within striking distance throughout much of the game. However, as the contest wore on, the Rockets' superior depth and cohesion began to tell, and they pulled away for the convincing win.
The final margin of 16 points was a testament to Toledo's dominance, with the Rockets outscoring their opponents by an average of 16 points per half. The largest lead of the night came at one point when Wilson scored eight consecutive points, putting his team up by 18.
In the end, it was a resounding victory for Toledo, which improved its conference standing and took a significant step towards securing a postseason bid.
Game Stats
Toledo (HOME)
* Field Goals: 39/63 (62.0%)
* Points in Paint: 52
* Fast Break Points: 22
* True Shooting%: 71.7%
Ohio (AWAY)
* Field Goals: 32/64 (50.0%)
* Points in Paint: 38
* Fast Break Points: 12
* eFG%: 57.0%
* True Shooting%: 58.7%
Game Leaders
Toledo:
* Sonny Wilson - 25 pts, 1-3 3PT, 64.3% FG
* Sean Craig - 11 reb, 15 pts, 2 ast
* Kyler Vanderjagt - 6 ast, 9 pts, 1 reb, 2 stl
Ohio:
* Javan Simmons - 21 pts, 0-1 3PT, 61.5% FG
* Jackson Paveletzke - 6 ast, 20 pts, 3 reb, 1 stl