Jaelin Sanford scored 15 points as the Rockets won their third straight game and 10th in the last 11 outings. (MVSmith/MRO) OXFORD, OH – Toledo made 18 of 22 free throws in the second half as the Rockets held off hosting Miami 73-67 Friday at Millett Hall.
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Junior Nate Navigato led the visiting Rockets with 19 points, while Tre’Shaun Fletcher posted a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. He made 7 of 10 free throws along the way, including 6 of 8 after intermission. Jaelin Sanford rounded out Toledo double-figure scoring with 15 points.
The RedHawks also . . .
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Junior Nate Navigato led the visiting Rockets with 19 points, while Tre’Shaun Fletcher posted a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. He made 7 of 10 free throws along the way, including 6 of 8 after intermission. Jaelin Sanford rounded out Toledo double-figure scoring with 15 points.
The RedHawks also . . .
. . . had three players in double figures, with Darrian Ringo hitting the game’s final basket to total 16 points. Senior forward Logan McLane hit 7 of 13 from the floor on the way to 15 points, while freshman Nike Sibande finished with 13 points after making 6 of 7 charity tosses.
Tre'Shaun Fletcher (4) posted a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Logan McLane defends as Taylor Adway and Dalonte Brown look on. (MVSmith/MRO)
Nike Sibande launches a three that pulled Miami into a 39-all tie. (MVSmith/MRO) Miami, who lost to Western Michigan Tuesday, fell to 13-12 overall and 6-6 in MAC play. West-leading Toledo won its third straight contest, moving to 18-7 overall, 10-2 against MAC competition.
With Miami Hall of Famer Wally Szczerbiak on hand and a season high crowd of over 3,500 on hand, the two teams tipped off early for a national television audience.
"That was the best crowd we've had since I've been here," Miami senior forward, who acknowledged the charged atmosphere could have affected play early. "We were all hyped up and full of energy."
Actually, neither team’s offense fared well out of the gate. Miami finally cracked double digits with a Bam Bowman bucket at 10:40 to take a 10-9 lead.
With Miami Hall of Famer Wally Szczerbiak on hand and a season high crowd of over 3,500 on hand, the two teams tipped off early for a national television audience.
"That was the best crowd we've had since I've been here," Miami senior forward, who acknowledged the charged atmosphere could have affected play early. "We were all hyped up and full of energy."
Actually, neither team’s offense fared well out of the gate. Miami finally cracked double digits with a Bam Bowman bucket at 10:40 to take a 10-9 lead.
It was an 18-18 tie with 5:59 remaining, but UT outscored the Hawks 15-4 heading into intermission.
A huge problem for Miami was its perimeter shooting. The RedHawks connected on just 1 of 13 3-point attempts before intermission. Toledo wasn’t that much better from distance (4 of 13), but the visitors made 48-1 percent (13 of 27) of their shots overall. MU hit 10 of 32 for 31.3 percent.
A huge problem for Miami was its perimeter shooting. The RedHawks connected on just 1 of 13 3-point attempts before intermission. Toledo wasn’t that much better from distance (4 of 13), but the visitors made 48-1 percent (13 of 27) of their shots overall. MU hit 10 of 32 for 31.3 percent.
Darrian Ringo gets off a shot in the lane (MVSmith/MRO) "We dug a hole for ourselves," Miami head coach Jack Owens said. "We were not ourselves. ... Give them (Toledo) credit. They were sound defensively, but the way we played ... allowed us to have some open shots that just didn't go in."
After trailing 33-22 at the break, Miami quickly rallied when play resumed. All three of the RedHawks second half treys came during a 19-4 run that put MU in front 41-40 at the 14:00 mark.That turned out to be Miami’s only lead of the second half.
Fletcher’s and-one put UT back in front and James Gordon IV added a layup. Toledo led by as many as six before MU climbed back to within two (51-49) following a layup by McLane at 7:25.
That was as close at Miami could get, although the RedHawks were were within two once more and three points twice.
After trailing 33-22 at the break, Miami quickly rallied when play resumed. All three of the RedHawks second half treys came during a 19-4 run that put MU in front 41-40 at the 14:00 mark.That turned out to be Miami’s only lead of the second half.
Fletcher’s and-one put UT back in front and James Gordon IV added a layup. Toledo led by as many as six before MU climbed back to within two (51-49) following a layup by McLane at 7:25.
That was as close at Miami could get, although the RedHawks were were within two once more and three points twice.
Logan McLane scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half, helping Miami turn an 11-point halftime deficit into a brief lead. (MVS,otj/MRO) McLane’s put-back dunk at 2:22 was the last field goal by either team, and reduced the Rocket lead to 61-58. Two quick fouls on MU put Toledo in the bonus and the Rockets rode the charity stripe to an eight-point lead twice before Ringo’s tip-in beat the buzzer for a final six-point margin.
While Miami had more field goals (28 of 74 – 37.3%) than Toledo (23 of 51 – 45.1%), but the Rockets outscored MU at the line 21-7 on the night.
That accentuated another problem for Miami. Luke Knapke, a 6-11 presence in the middle blocked five shots and influenced more. "It was very difficult (in there). He's a great defender," said Ringo.
When the RedHawks perimeter game produced just 4 of 27 3-point attempts for a season low 14.8 percent, it put MU in a difficult spot. Toledo put the game away at the line.
While Miami had more field goals (28 of 74 – 37.3%) than Toledo (23 of 51 – 45.1%), but the Rockets outscored MU at the line 21-7 on the night.
That accentuated another problem for Miami. Luke Knapke, a 6-11 presence in the middle blocked five shots and influenced more. "It was very difficult (in there). He's a great defender," said Ringo.
When the RedHawks perimeter game produced just 4 of 27 3-point attempts for a season low 14.8 percent, it put MU in a difficult spot. Toledo put the game away at the line.
Luke Knapke (center) battles Bam Bowman (14) and Jalen Adaway (3) for position during an inbound play. Knapke had a strong presence inside on defense and contributed seven points at the offensive end. (MVSmith/MRO)
"That is a good team," Owens said of Toledo. They're well coached and ... their experience obviously showed.
Of his own young squad, Owens said , "This is a good team (and) we're going to continue to get better. We're young and growing."
NEXT:
Toledo is home against Ohio Wednesday. Miami faces another difficult test when it travels to Eastern Michigan. The Eagles defeated MU by 10 in their first meeting. Both games tip at 7 p.m.
Of his own young squad, Owens said , "This is a good team (and) we're going to continue to get better. We're young and growing."
NEXT:
Toledo is home against Ohio Wednesday. Miami faces another difficult test when it travels to Eastern Michigan. The Eagles defeated MU by 10 in their first meeting. Both games tip at 7 p.m.
 |  Former Miami great Wally Szczerbiak waves to the crowd following a halftime recognition ceremony. At left, Marreon Jackson sends a pass to a teammate. |
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