AKRON, OHIO – Buoyed by a career-high 36 points from junior guard Marreon Jackson, the Toledo Rockets defeated the Akron Zips 99-89 Saturday afternoon at Rhodes Arena.
For Toledo (10-8, 2-3 MAC) it was the . . .
“This team needed something good to happen, and that happened.” Rockets head coach Tod Kowaczyk said. “In my opinion, they (Akron) are the best team in the league."
UT's Marreon Jackson went 11-of-20 from the field including seven baskets from three-point range with three assists and three steals. Senior Willie Jackson added 23 and 12 rebounds. Senior Luke Knapke had 19 and seven boards, while junior Spencer Littleton had 13.
Akron (14-4, 4-1) saw its five game winning streak come to an end and also suffered its first loss at home this season.
“That was a high level game.” John Groce said. “It was enjoyable. Some of the shot making was absolutely fantastic. They won the game absolutely.”
Junior Loren Cristen Jackson scored a career high 33 points, going 10 of 21 from the floor. Senior Tyler Cheese added 19 with five rebounds and seven assists. Senior Zeyrius Williams had 18 and 11 boards while senior Channel Banks chipped in 11.
The game started out with UA opening a 13-8 lead at the 14:15 mark thanks to a put back slam by Williams. UT responded with a 9-2 run to take their first lead of the game, 17-15, at the 12:23 mark on a pair of free throws by Willie Jackson.
Toledo held the lead for the remainder of the half and built on it, opening a 14-point advantage (46-32) -- its largest of the half with 35.5 seconds remaining on a slam by Willie Jackson. The Rockets held a 10-point advantage at halftime 46-36.
UT shot a sizzling 65.4 percent from the field going 17-of-26 including seven baskets from beyond the arc. UA also shot the ball well in the opening half going 14-of-29 from the floor.
At the end of the half, Cheese made a free throw and Banks connected on a three from the right arc. Those four points right before halftime would be the start of the comeback by the Zips.
Akron used a 17-2 run spanning both halves to move back in front 50-48 on a driving layup by Cheese with 16:48 remaining. The Blue and Gold built a their largest lead of the game 64-53 with 13:12 remaining on three by Cristen Jackson, who scored 13 in the second half.
The junior from Chicago had his seventh consecutive game scoring in double figures.
UT would respond with a 22-4 spurt with Marreon Jackson, scoring 16 of points in a span of 3:04 to take a 75-68 lead with 8:14 remaining. Earlier in the season, the junior from Cleveland scored 32 in a 77-74 loss at Kent State. In addition he has scored in double digits in 16 of UT’s 18 games so far this season.
“He (Marreon Jackson) played his best game of the year. In my opinion he is a special player.” Kowalczyk said.
In this game of spurts it was Akron’s turn and it fashioned a 7-2 run to tie the game 77-77 when Williams scored on a reverse layup at the 5:27 remaining. The transfer from Dayton picked up his third consecutive double-double and seventh overall of the season.
That was as close as the Zips would get as Toledo finished the contest with a 22-5 run. Freshman Leshaun Saunders hit two threes, with the second coming from the left arc with 1:55 remaining. It ended any hopes of a Zips comeback and gave UT its eighth win in the last nine outings against the Zips.
“If you give up 99 points you cannot win. Give Toledo credit. They played really, really well. We need to play better -- especially defensively” Groce said.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday with Toledo traveling to Ohio while UA lay their first Eastern Division game at Miami.
NOTES:
>> There were six ties and six lead changes.
>> UT shot 56.7 percent from the field over the 40 minutes.
>> UA was at 50.87 percent (32-of-63).
>> The Rockets won the rebound battle 31-28.
>> The visitors converted 12 UA turnovers into 11 points