Nov. 12, 2005

Final Stats

Toledo, OH - Toledo cruised to an 85-65 exhibition victory over Wayne State tonight in its opening contest of the 2005-06 campaign. The Rockets utilized a strong defensive effort and limited the Warriors to 38.0 percent shooting from the field.

All 13 Rockets saw action in the game with eight players tallying seven or more points. Senior guard Sammy Villegas, junior guard Keonta Howell and sophomore center Jerrah Young shared the team scoring lead with 11 points apiece with freshman guard Jonathan Amos also reaching double figures with 10 points. Howell registered a team- high eight rebounds, while Villegas knocked down three treys to help UT convert 40.0 percent (6-of-15) of its shots from behind the arc.

The Rockets jumped out early to a 7-0 lead and extended it to as much as 19 points at 27-8 following a Howell dunk. UT held a 39-23 advantage at halftime and didn't commit its first turnover of the game until just under six minutes remained in the first half.

The Warriors never were able to reduce UT's lead to single digits the rest of the way and were led by junior center Jeffrey Ferguson's 16 points. The Rockets held Wayne State to 29.6 percent shooting from the field in the first half.

Toledo utilized its depth throughout the contest with Howell and Young leading the way with 21 minutes apiece.

The Rockets' freshmen trio of Amos, Ridley Johnson (6 pts., 2 steals) and Tyrone Kent (9 pts., 2 steals) combined for 25 points on 63.2 percent (12-of-19) shooting.

Toledo will open the 2005-06 regular season on Sunday, Nov. 20 at defending 2005 NIT champion South Carolina. The contest will tip off at 1:30 p.m. and will be televised live by FoxSports South.