University of Toledo
OAKLAND
Toledo Falls at Oakland in Non-Conference Action, 76-60
12/5/2006 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Final Stats
ROCHESTER, MI - Oakland (4-4) opened the second half with an 18-2 run and cruised to a 76-60 victory over Toledo in non-conference action at the Athletics Center O'Rena. The Golden Grizzlies hit eight of their first nine shots from the field after the intermission, while the Rockets' misfired on eight of its first nine field-goal attempts. Tonight's setback snaps UT's two-game winning streak and drops the Rockets to 3-5.
The game was tied 39-39 at the break, before OU scored the first 13 points in the second stanza and defeated the Rockets for the seventh time in eight all-time meetings. Oakland's tandem of Hanna Reising and Melissa Jeltema accounted for nine of Oakland's 13 points, as Jeltema netted a pair of layups and Reising hit a jumper and a triple. UT did not score until freshman Lisa Johnson hit a layup with 14:15 left.
UT's deficit grew to as many as 24 points in the second half. The closest they got in the final 20 minutes was 15 points on two occasions. Toledo scored 12 of the last 16 points in the contest, but it was far too little too late and Oakland claimed the 16-point victory.
Oakland shot 50.8 percent (33-of-65) from the field, including 51.6 percent (16-of-31) in the second half. Three players tallied double figures for the home team led by Nicole Piggott's team-high 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Bonnie Baker had 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Reising added 16 points and five assists. As a team, OU dished out 29 assists, while committing only 11 turnovers.
The Rockets shot 40.7 percent (22-of-54) from the floor, but only 29.6 percent (8-of-27) in the second half. Senior Danielle Bishop led UT with 11 points, all in the first half, and classmate Savannah Werner had 10.
Toledo started the game strong, hitting its first four shots from the floor to take a 9-2 lead and forced Oakland into a timeout. Bishop sparked the quick start and knocked down a pair of shots, including a triple.
Oakland would tie the game, 9-9, at the 16:00 minute mark when Reising hit the first of four three pointers. But the Rockets kept a hold of the lead, going up by five points, 20-15, when Werner converted her own shot from beyond the arc at 13:45.
The Golden Grizzlies clawed back once again, scoring 11 of the next 13 points to gain a four-point advantage, 26-22, with 9:03 remaining. The Rockets kept the game close and used a 10-4 run to close out the half and draw the teams even at the intermission.
The Rockets return to action at home on Saturday, Dec. 9 to battle Virginia Commonwealth. Tipoff from Savage Hall is slated for 7:00 p.m.
