The victory clinched an outright Mid-American Conference West Division title for the Rockets, who are now 21-9 overall and 13-4 in league play.
UT is now locked . . .
Northern Illinois lost its third straight, falling to 12-18 overall, 5-12 MAC. The Huskies host Ball State Friday (8 p.m. ET).
“It was also great to see Tre'Shaun (Fletcher) finish with a triple-double. It was well deserved because he is such an unselfish player and plays the game the right way."
Fletcher produced a game-high 20 points, 11 rebounds and a career-best 11 assists – all while committing just one turnover in 35 minutes. The Rockets' only other triple-double was registered by Nathan Boothe, who tallied 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists vs. San Jose State in the 2015 Great Alaska Shootout.
Joining Fletcher in double figures were junior guard Jaelan Sanford and sophomore center Luke Knapke with 16 and 13 points, respectively.
Toledo was extremely efficient throughout the contest, as it shot 57.6 percent from the field, tying its season high with 14 three-point field goals (in 29 attempts). The Rockets dished out a season-high 22 assists while committing just eight turnovers.
UT’s defense was on top of its game as well, especially in the first half as Toledo built a 48-27 halftime advantage. NIU went 0-for 7 from three-point range and shot 33.3 percent overall.
Toledo took its first double-digit lead at 25-15 on sophomore guard Justin Roberts' three-pointer with 10:34 remaining in the first half.
An 11-0 Rocket spurt highlighted by treys from junior forward Nate Navigato and Fletcher and Knapke's three-point play gave Toledo a 40-21 cushion with 5:04 remaining before halftime.
Fletcher's dunk just over three minutes later provided UT its largest advantage, 48-23, of the opening stanza.
NIU reduced its deficit to 51-37 less than four minutes into the second half, but a 7-0 burst keyed by sophomore forward Willie Jackson's four points and a Fletcher trey left the Huskies down 65-43 with 11:28 to play.
Toledo's lead didn't fall below 20 points for the remainder of the contest.
(Courtesy of UT Athletics)