TOLEDO, OH - Toledo (16-11, 11-5 MAC) controls its own destiny as the Midnight Blue & Gold heads into the final week of the Mid-American Conference schedule with a tough home contest vs. Central Michigan (19-8, 13-3 MAC) on Wednesday, March 2. The opening tip is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and can be seen on ESPN3.

UT is currently tied with Ball State (19-8, 11-5 MAC) for third place in the overall MAC standings with two regular-season contests remaining. With a victory against the second-place Chippewas, the Rockets will wrap up one of the coveted four byes in next week's MAC Tournament.

Toledo enters Wednesday's pivotal game on the heels of an 89-83 overtime victory at Northern Illinois (11-15, 4-12 MAC) on Saturday in the Convocation Center. The Rockets outscored the Huskies, 13-7, in the extra period to sweep the regular-season series against NIU for the third time in the last five years.

Senior Brenae Harris paced UT with a game-high 21 points, followed closely by junior Janice Monakana and sophomore Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott with 20 had 18, respectively. The victors also received 14 points from freshman Kaayla McIntyre to snap a two-game losing skid in DeKalb.

Toledo shot an impressive 60.0 percent (3-of-5) from the floor and 7-of-11 from the charity stripe in overtime to win its second extended contest in the last three games. NIU was limited to 22.2 percent (2-of-9) and 3-of-5 in the same categories.

McIntyre was clutch for the Rockets in overtime, scoring the first seven points to put them in front, 83-81, at the 1:15 mark. The Toledo native was credited with three layups during this stretch to give the visitors a lead they would not relinquish.

UT collected a defensive stop on NIU's ensuing possession, before Harris knocked down a pair of free throws to extend the margin to four, 85-81.

The Huskies' Ally Lehman made both of her charity tosses on their next trip down the floor, but UT responded with Monakana draining 3-of-4 free throws over the final 14 seconds to make the final score 89-83.  

Toledo finished with a season-tying best 21 assists and only 11 turnovers. Bravo-Harriott triggered the offense with six helpers, while senior Ana Capotosto and Harris had five each.

For the season, UT continues to be fueled offensively by the quartet of Harris, Monakana, Bravo-Harriott and Capotosto, who are averaging 14.1, 11.2, 11.1 and 9.3 ppg, respectively.

UT, which sports a 7-4 (.636) record at home this season, will take on a CMU team which has won 10 of its last 11 contests. Most recently, the Chippewas secured a 73-61 road win at Western Michigan on Saturday to clinch at least a share of the MAC West Division title for the second time in the last three seasons. 

CMU, which is 9-5 (.643) away from home this year, features three players scoring at least 12.5 ppg and is paced by Presley Hudson and Tinara Moore at 13.6 and 13.0 ppg, respectively.

Toledo and Central Michigan will meet for the second time in less than two weeks and 77th time overall. The Rockets handed the Chippewas their lone setback during their recent hot stretch with an 81-79 overtime victory in McGuirk Arena on Feb. 20. 

UT holds a 46-30 (.605) advantage in the all-time series, including a 25-11 (.694) edge in contests played at home. The Midnight Blue & Gold has won seven of the last nine meetings against Central Michigan in the friendly confines of Savage Arena.

A season ago, UT claimed a 62-53 triumph versus CMU at home (Feb. 28). 

Following Wednesday's contest, the Rockets will wrap up the regular season against BSU on Saturday, March 5. The opening tip versus the Rockets is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and can be seen on ESPN3, BCSN and TWCS.

Prior to the start of Saturday's regular-season finale, UT will honor its two seniors - Ana Capotosto and Brenae Harris - who will appear in their final home game.

UT and BSU will meet for the second time this year and 75th time overall. The Rockets dropped a 75-69 decision against the Cardinals in Worthen Arena on Jan. 2. 

Toledo holds a 52-22 (.703) advantage in the all-time series, including a 27-7 (.794) edge in contests played at home. Ball State has controlled the series as of late, though, winning the last four meetings between the division rivals.

A season ago, UT sustained a 69-61 setback versus BSU at home (Feb. 7, 2015).