University of Toledo
AKRON
Toledo Rips Akron 81-59 in Regular-Season Home Finale
2/25/2004 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
TOLEDO, OH - Senior guard Mary Blessing made her final regular-season game in Savage Hall a memorable one, scoring a season-high 15 points as Toledo rolled over Akron by an 81-59 margin on Wednesday night. The Rockets' victory was their eighth in nine years on 'Senior Night' under Head Coach Mark Ehlen.
Blessing went 4-of-5 from the field and made 6-of-7 free throws in a game-high 34 minutes played. She also dished out four assists and collected three steals for the Rockets who collected a season-high 25 assists and outrebounded Akron, 35-34.
"Everybody played really well tonight," Blessing said. "It's a great way to end the regular season at home."
With the win, the Rockets improve to 12-13 on the season, 8-6 in the MAC and more importantly secured a home game in the first round of the upcoming MAC Tournament.
Freshman Danielle Bishop notched 14 points and six rebounds for the Midnight Blue and Gold, senior Kelly Walker scored 13 points and junior Karin Hoogendam added 11 points and a career-high five assists.
The Rockets, who have won 27 straight match-ups against the Zips, shot 50.0 percent (29-of-58) from the field for the contest. It was the second-straight game UT shot at least 50 percent from the floor.
"For the second-straight game, we shot the ball fairly well," Ehlen said. "We were able to get some easy baskets off breaks. I was also happy with the way we took care of the ball and how we played defensively. Having 25 assists compared to 11 turnovers is very good. We're starting to take a step in the right direction which is a real positive."
UT jumped on the Zips early scoring 15 of the game's first 16 points. The Rockets held a 43-23 halftime advantage and their lead never dipped below 16 points the rest of the contest. Toledo's largest lead of the game was 73-48 with 5:14 to play in the game.
Jae Conn led Akron (7-18, 2-12 MAC) with a game-high 16 points and Angie Hutchinson and Lori Krezeczowski scored 10 points apiece.
Toledo returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 28 when it travels to Kalamazoo, MI to battle MAC West Division foe Western Michigan. Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m. in University Arena.
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