Jan. 22, 2003

Box Score| Quotes| Notes

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI - Toledo (8-8, 2-4 MAC) saw its second straight opportunity for a MAC road win slip away in its 83-74 setback tonight to MAC West Division leader Central Michigan (12-3, 5-1 MAC) at Rose Arena. It was the second straight game the Rockets held a lead with five minutes remaining in the game but failed to come away with a victory.

Seniors J.R. Wallace (23 points) and Mike Manciel (22 points) led the Chippewas offensively and junior center Chris Kaman registered 17 points, 14 rebounds and a school-record tying eight blocked shots.

Senior guard Nick Moore paced the Rockets' attack with 24 points with junior guard Keith Triplett (11 points, team-high 10 rebounds), redshirt freshman guard Sammy Villegas (11 points) and sophomore guard Jim Clement (10 points) also scoring in double figures.

Following a back-and-forth first half that saw eight lead changes, the Rockets went on a 13-2 run early in the second half to take a 53-47 advantage with 15:10 to play. The two teams then traded baskets until a Moore trey gave the Rockets their largest lead of the game, 60-53, with 12:36 to play.

A six-minute Toledo scoring drought let Central back in the game, but the Rockets still were able to hold onto their lead until a three-pointer by T.J. Meerman gave the Chippewas a 69-67 lead with 4:42 left in the game. CMU extended its edge to 74-67 with just under three minutes remaining thanks to a layup and three free throws from Manciel.

The closest UT came the rest of the contest was four points on a Moore trey with 47 seconds remaining.

Toledo shot just 31 percent from the field in the second half and just 40.3 percent for the entire game. The Chippewas didn't fare much better from the field as they shot 41.9 percent for the game but hit 27-of-33 free throws while the Rockets attempted just eight free throws.

The Rockets return to action on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Savage Hall vs. defending MAC champion Kent State (11-2, 4-1 MAC). The Golden Flashes will be in action vs. Akron on Thursday, Jan. 23 vs. Akron before heading to Toledo.