Oakland blocks UT comeback bid

ROCHESTER, MI – Toledo’s bid for a comeback victory at Oakland on Saturday afternoon came up just a bucket short in an 81-79 road setback to the Golden Grizzlies.


Sophomore guard Jonathan Williams topped the Rockets (2-4) with a career-high 19 points. Joining Williams in double figures were senior guards Justin Drummond (16 pts.) and Julius Brown (13 pts.). Brown had a chance to even the contest at the end of regulation but his shot was blocked by sophomore guard Kahlil Felder.

Senior guard Dante Williams paced Oakland (2-5) with 20 points, including a 6-of-9 performance from behind the three-point arc.

Drummond also paced the Rockets with seven rebounds but that wasn't enough to offset the Golden Grizzlies' 33-29 advantage.

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Oakland registered a 55.1 FG% shooting mark, including 10-of-20 from three-point range. Toledo shot 42.6 percent and was 5-of-21 from behind the arc.

UT led through most of the first half, including an 11 point advantage (25-14) following a Drummond layup at 8:48. The Grizzlies chipped away and tied the contest at 31-all with 3:32 remaining in the first stanza. The game was tied for the third time (35-35) with :36 left. A Rocket free throw preceded Corey Petros’ jumper with three seconds remaining to give the Grizzlies a 37-36 lead at the break.

The hosts outscored UT 19-7 to open the final half, opening up a 13-point advantage. The lead got to 14 points (74-60) at 6:07 before Toledo mounted its comeback. The Rockets got as close as one point (80-79) with 43 seconds remaining, but fell short by two at the final buzzer.

Toledo will look to bounce back from today’s defeat when it faces Horizon League foe Cleveland State on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7:00 p.m.

(Courtesy of UT Athletics/MRO Edit)