University of Toledo
EASTERN MICHIGAN
Toledo Defeats Eastern Michigan in Waning Minutes, 63-55
1/13/2004 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
TOLEDO, OH - Toledo (7-7, 3-0 MAC) remained undefeated in Mid-American Conference play on Tuesday night, claiming a 63-55 victory over Eastern Michigan (9-4, 2-1 MAC) before 2,302 fans in Savage Hall.
The Rockets and the Eagles entered tonight's game as two of only four undefeated teams left in MAC play after one full week of action. The contest was a physical one featuring a combined 32 turnovers and 28 fouls. Toledo took full advantage of the situation converting 16-of-22 free throws, including 6-of-6 in the final 20 seconds, compared to only a 2-of-6 showing by the Eagles.
"It wasn't the prettiest win, but nonetheless it was a win," Toledo Head Coach Mark Ehlen said, after his team's third straight win. "It's a victory at home and we haven't done that too often lately. The one thing we talked about before the game was protecting our home court and it is good to be back on the winning track in Savage Hall. It is also good to be 3-0 in the conference. This was a hard-earned win."
Toledo was led by by junior Karin Hoogendam, who finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots. The only other Rocket in double figures was senior Kelly Walker, who tallied 11 points, all in the second half, to go along with six rebounds.
"It wasn't a pretty win, but we fought through some adversity in the second half and came out with the victory," said Hoogendam, who scored in double figures for the sixth-straight game. "We had to work hard for the win, because it was not given to us. We kept attacking and played as a team and were able to pull it out."
The Rockets also received quality performances from a number of reserves, including sophomores Amanda Davis, Leah Gonnella and Crystal Young. The trio combined for 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists in a total of 40 minutes.
"The one important component of this win was the key performances from the bench," Ehlen said. "Amanda (Davis) gave us a huge lift in the first half in both scoring or rebounding. Leah (Gonella) scored a couple baskets to keep us alive and Crystal (Young) gave us a huge spark down the stretch. This was a good team win for us."
Ryan Coleman led three EMU players in double figures with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds, while playing all 40 minutes. Other Eagles in double figures included Nikki Knapp and Sarah VanMetre with 11 points apiece.
With Toledo clinging to a 28-26 edge at the intermission, EMU opened the final 20 minutes with a 6-0 run to take a lead it would not surrender for the next 13-plus minutes. A three-pointer by sophomore Lexee McDonnell at the 15:58 mark of the second half ended the Rockets' drought and kept the score close, 32-31.
Gonnella drilled a three-pointer to tie the score at 34-34, before EMU exploded with a 7-0 run to take a 41-34 advantage and forced UT into a timeout with 11:51 remaining in regulation. Coleman opened the run with a jumper in the lane, followed by a three-pointer by Melis Ulker, before a steal and layup by Coleman finished off the flurry.
UT's Walker ended the rally with an offensive putback, but a tough basket by Coleman with Toledo freshman Danielle Bishop's hand in her face followed and again EMU was ahead by seven, 43-36.
A three-point play by Hoogendam and another jumper by Walker kept the Rockets close, 43-41, before EMU's Knapp split a pair of free throws to make the score 44-41.
Senior Julie Hillis, who earlier today was named the MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week, converted a jumper to pull the Rockets within a single point, 44-43, but a 6-0 run by EMU pushed the lead again to seven, 50-43, with 6:27 remaining.
From that point on, though, the Rockets would put the clamps on the Eagles and outscore them 20-5 to end the contest. A three-pointer by senior Mary Blessing started the run. After a basket by EMU's VanMetre, Hoogendam scored a basket, followed by a triple by Walker to make the score 52-51 with 3:54 remaining. EMU would not score for the next 3:40 after the VanMetre basket. A turnover by Knapp on the Eagles' ensuing possession gave the ball back to the Rockets, and Gonnella converted a layup which gave UT a quick-lived, 53-52 advantage.
The two team's exchanged turnovers on their next possessions, before EMU's Lindsay DeGroot split a pair of free throws to knot the score at 53-53.
On its ensuing possession, UT went inside to Hoogendam who knocked down the shot to give the Midnight Blue and Gold a lead it would not relinquish with 1:42 remaining.
EMU's Knapp tried to tie the score on its next trip down the floor, but Hoogendam knocked the ball out of bounds off her giving it back to UT.
Walker canned a jumper in the lane to put UT ahead by four and the home team finished off the Eagles with a pair of free throws by Walker, Blessing and freshman Danielle Bishop to make the final, 63-55.
Toledo shot 40.4 percent (21-of-52) from the floor, including a respectable 44.4 percent (12-of-27) in the second half.
"I didn't think we played great, but we played tough down the stretch," Ehlen said. "We were fortunate to make enough big shots when it counted most. I think that is a sign of a good team when it comes to crunch time and you find a way to get it done."
Eastern Michigan finished the contest shooting 36.8 percent (25-of-68) from the floor, including 20.0 percent (3-of-15) from three point range. The Eagles, who came into tonight's action ranked first in the MAC shooting 38.6 percent as a team from three-point range, were held to their second-lowest point total of the season. They were also averaging 24.4 trips to the charity stripe per contest and were limited to just six attempts.
Toledo returns to the road on Sat., Jan. 17 to battle East Division foe Kent State in the M.A.C. Center. Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on FoxSports Ohio.
