By EVAN MEYER
AKRON, OHIO – After seeing their seven-game winning streak come to an end Tuesday night at home to Ball State, the Toledo Rockets rebounded with a 77-56 win over the Akron Zips saturday afternoon at Rhodes Arena.
Toledo, leaders in the MAC Western Division, capitalized on a 19-4 run spanning both halves. After scoring the last eight points in the first half, UT went on an 11-4 run at the start of the second stanza to take command. The final verdict allowed Toledo (16-7, 8-2 MAC) to sweep the season series from UA while maintaining at least a two-game lead in the West.
“After the start of . . .
AKRON, OHIO – After seeing their seven-game winning streak come to an end Tuesday night at home to Ball State, the Toledo Rockets rebounded with a 77-56 win over the Akron Zips saturday afternoon at Rhodes Arena.
Toledo, leaders in the MAC Western Division, capitalized on a 19-4 run spanning both halves. After scoring the last eight points in the first half, UT went on an 11-4 run at the start of the second stanza to take command. The final verdict allowed Toledo (16-7, 8-2 MAC) to sweep the season series from UA while maintaining at least a two-game lead in the West.
“After the start of . . .
. . . the game, we played really really well on both ends of the court.” Rockets head coach Tod Kowalczyk said. “We got our edge back. We lost it for one game (in the loss to the Cardinals). A very, very solid win.”
Senior Tra’Shaun Fletcher led all scorers in the contest with 23 points while garnering nine rebounds with five assists and a steal. Junior Jaelan Sanford added 18 with seven boards, and a steal.
Akron (10-12, 3-7) suffered its third consecutive defeat overall -- its longest since beginning the MAC season losing against Western Michigan, against the Toledo and Buffalo.
“Our effort and attitude was not good," said KSU head coach John Groce. "Our toughness and our coachability was poor and when you have that, it is very tough to win against a quality team like Toledo.”
The loss also was only UA’s second at home this season both coming against the Division leaders (UT & UB).
Junior Daniel Utomiu led the Zips with 17 points, going four-of-five from three point range, and also pulled down five rebounds. Freshman Virshon Cotton added 12 with five boards, two assists and a steal, while fellow Junior Jimond Ivey added 10.
The home-standing Zips started strong, registering the game’s first seven points and hitting five-of-six from the field. UT weathered the opening barrage and then went on a 21-4 run to take the lead for good. Sophomore Justin Roberts capped the surge with a three from the right arc.
The Zips closed to 29-27 at the 4:39 mark on a three by Cotton fron the top of the key, UT made a move to take complete control.
Toledo scored the final eight points on free throws by junior Taylor Adway and sophomore Luke Knapke and then added baskets by Sanford and Fletcher to open a 35-27 lead at halftime.
The run continued when play resumed, led by baskets from Sanford, Fletcher, and Adway to open a 60-42 lead with 9:05 remaining.
The Rockets advantage grew to 23 points in the final moments as they picked up their sixth win in the last seven meetings against Akron.
Statistically speaking, UT connected on an even 50 percent from the field (28-of-56). It won the rebound battle 40-31 and forced Akron into 10 turnovers converting them into 14 points. The Rockets registered 15 second chance points to the Zips four. In addition, UT had a 20-6 advantage in bench points.
On the Zips side, they shot only 39 percent from the floor (23-of-59) and were just 8-of-21 from beyond the arc. They went to the free throw line just seven times, converting only two.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday with Toledo home to Northern Illinois and Akron on the road at Ohio to battle the Bobcats.
Senior Tra’Shaun Fletcher led all scorers in the contest with 23 points while garnering nine rebounds with five assists and a steal. Junior Jaelan Sanford added 18 with seven boards, and a steal.
Akron (10-12, 3-7) suffered its third consecutive defeat overall -- its longest since beginning the MAC season losing against Western Michigan, against the Toledo and Buffalo.
“Our effort and attitude was not good," said KSU head coach John Groce. "Our toughness and our coachability was poor and when you have that, it is very tough to win against a quality team like Toledo.”
The loss also was only UA’s second at home this season both coming against the Division leaders (UT & UB).
Junior Daniel Utomiu led the Zips with 17 points, going four-of-five from three point range, and also pulled down five rebounds. Freshman Virshon Cotton added 12 with five boards, two assists and a steal, while fellow Junior Jimond Ivey added 10.
The home-standing Zips started strong, registering the game’s first seven points and hitting five-of-six from the field. UT weathered the opening barrage and then went on a 21-4 run to take the lead for good. Sophomore Justin Roberts capped the surge with a three from the right arc.
The Zips closed to 29-27 at the 4:39 mark on a three by Cotton fron the top of the key, UT made a move to take complete control.
Toledo scored the final eight points on free throws by junior Taylor Adway and sophomore Luke Knapke and then added baskets by Sanford and Fletcher to open a 35-27 lead at halftime.
The run continued when play resumed, led by baskets from Sanford, Fletcher, and Adway to open a 60-42 lead with 9:05 remaining.
The Rockets advantage grew to 23 points in the final moments as they picked up their sixth win in the last seven meetings against Akron.
Statistically speaking, UT connected on an even 50 percent from the field (28-of-56). It won the rebound battle 40-31 and forced Akron into 10 turnovers converting them into 14 points. The Rockets registered 15 second chance points to the Zips four. In addition, UT had a 20-6 advantage in bench points.
On the Zips side, they shot only 39 percent from the floor (23-of-59) and were just 8-of-21 from beyond the arc. They went to the free throw line just seven times, converting only two.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday with Toledo home to Northern Illinois and Akron on the road at Ohio to battle the Bobcats.
RSS Feed