Dec. 22, 2004

Box Score

Carolina, Puerto Rico - Keith Triplett and Justin Ingram each scored 13 points to lead Toledo (3-5) to a 68-65 victory over Auburn, but it was the Rockets' defense that won the day in the final day of action at the San Juan Shootout in Carolina, Puerto Rico

Toledo rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit en route to its second victory in as many games over the Tigers and gave UT a 2-1 record in the tournament.

Toledo's depth played a big factor in the contest in wearing down the Tigers as UT forced 25 turnovers. The Rockets capitalized on those miscues with a 29-17 advantage in points off turnovers and also held a 34-20 point advantage in the paint. UT now has forced 53 turnovers in its last two games.

"The key for us was our defensive effort," Head Coach Stan Joplin. "We forced them into turnovers and tough shots and we took some of their aggressiveness away from them. They have four or five guys who can shoot the three and they usually shoot 25-30 threes a game but we were able to limit those. A lot of guys played well off the bench for us and we were able to stay rested which helped with our defensive intensity."

Senior guard Keith Triplett and sophomore guard Justin Ingram shared team scoring honors for the Rockets with 13 points apiece and both grabbed a game-high five steals. It was the third time Triplett registered five steals this season and moved him into sixth place on the MAC's all-time steal list with 230 ahead of Bowling Green's Anthony Stacey (1995-2000). Triplett earned all-tournament team honors for his efforts and is now five points away from moving into seventh place on UT's all-time scoring list ahead of Harvey Knuckles (1977-81).

The Rockets were able to win despite playing much of the game without sophomore forward Florentino Valencia, who sprained an ankle with 8:46 remaining in the first half and returned only for a brief appearance. Valencia finished the contest with five points and three rebounds in five minutes played.

"We wanted to come away at least with two victories at this tournament and we were able to accomplish that," Joplin said. "Hopefully, we can use this as a springboard and get us ready for conference play. The guys have to realize that the effort we put forth defensively today is the effort we're going to have to give all the time."

Following a back-and-forth first half, the Rockets immediately tied the contest less than two minutes into the second half with seven straight points. Following an Auburn basket, junior guard Sammy Villegas hit his second trey of the second half to give UT a 38-37 advantage. The Rockets stretched their advantage to 43-39 and led by six points, 55-49, with 8:28 to play when Auburn scored 12 straight points to lead 61-55 with 6:03 remaining.

Triplett answered right back with a three-pointer to ignite a 9-0 Rocket run that gave UT a 64-61 advantage with 3:42 to play. Following Triplett's trey, sophomore guard Keonta Howell scored on an offensive put-back and then added two free throws. Ingram followed by converting a steal into a layup for UT's three-point advantage and a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

Auburn's Toney Douglas made it a one-point game with a layup at the 3:30 mark before Howell came back with a layup 14 seconds later. The Tigers made it a one-point game again on a Douglas layup with 1:46 remaining. Douglas finished with a game-high 23 points.

UT then ran the clock down on its next possession and Ingram's driving jumper missed the rim and although Triplett grabbed the offensive rebound the Rockets were called for a shot-clock violation.

Auburn failed to convert on its next possession when Daniel Hayles' three-point attempt rimmed out with 49 seconds to play. Ingram was then fouled following a loose-ball scramble with 18 seconds remaining and made the first shot of a one-and-one but missed the second. However, sophomore center Allen Pinson tipped the miss and Ingram grabbed the rebound. Auburn was then forced to foul Triplett who made one of two shots to give UT a three-point edge with 12 seconds remaining.

Toledo then forced Auburn's Nathan Watson into a long three-pointer that missed at the buzzer.

The Rockets will return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 29 with a home game vs. Lake Superior State before opening conference play on Sunday, Jan. 2 at Eastern Michigan.