TOLEDO, Ohio -- Jalen Sanford scored 19 points to lead four Rockets in double figures as Toledo defeated Miami 66-56 Tuesday at Savage Arena.
It was the second straight Mid-American Conference victory for UT, which had started conference play with two losses after 10 straight non-conference victories. Miami, meanwhile, remained winless in four MAC outings and fell to the Rockets for the 11th straight time in the series.
The RedHawks shooting blew hot and cold much of the night -- individually and collectively. Dalonte Brown, a prep star in the Toledo area, provided Miami’s first eight points, but finished with 10. After the sophomore drained a three for his eighth point at 14:27, Miami (8-9, 0-4 MAC) did not score again until 9:37 on a Jalen Adaway basket. The RedHawks then failed to score again for over three minutes.
Toledo was busy during MU’s drought and built up a 25-8 lead by the 7:44 mark.
Nike Sibande became the third RedHawk to dent the scoring column when he hit a triple at 6:18 and quickly followed with two more trays and a three free throws to stop the bleeding
Toledo (14-3, 2-2 AC) took a 39-30 lead into the locker room and still led by nine (44-35) with 15:00 left. The RedHawks then began to chip away and twice trailed by a single point, with an opportunity to take the lead.
One of the keys in holding off Miami was 6-11 junior center Luke Knapke. Held scoreless in the first half, he tallied 11 points after intermission and was part of Toledo’s success inside.
UT held a 30-20 advantage over Miami through points in the paint and also owned a 9-3 edge in second chance points.
The Rockets also held an advantage from distance, knocking down 10 triples to five for the visitors. Sophomore Spencer Littleson picked up all 12 of his game points on triples, hitting four-of-six attempts outside the arc.
Knapke and Littleson combined for nine of 11 points during a UT run that turned a 51-50 lead into a 62-52 margin. Although 5:21 remained, the RedHawks would get no closer than six points the rest of the way.
Joining Sanford (19), Littleson (12) and Knapke (11) in double figures for UT was Marreon Jackson (10).
Sibande (game-high 26) and Brown (10) were the only RedHawks to reach double figures.
NEXT:
Both teams resume play Saturday Miami hosts Akron (3:30 p.m.). Toledo entertains Ohio (7 p.m.).