Toledo Begins Three-Game Homestand vs. CMU on Saturday
2/3/2006 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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Feb. 3, 2006
TOLEDO, OH - Toledo (10-9, 3-8 MAC) begins a three-game homestand on Saturday, Feb. 4 when it hosts Central Michigan (3-16, 1-10 MAC). Tip-off time is set for 7:00 p.m. EST.
The Rockets will play five of their final seven Mid-American Conferences at Savage Hall and will look to continue their outstanding homecourt success to put together a strong finish. UT is 8-2 at home this year and has a MAC-best 30-4 mark in Savage Hall since the start of the 2003-04 campaign.
Toledo is coming off a hard-fought 57-53 setback at Western Michigan in a game the Rockets had a chance to tie in the final minute. However, sophomore Kashif Payne missed two free throws with 30 seconds remaining and UT behind by a 53-51 margin. The Broncos then made their final four free throws to clinch the victory. Toledo struggled at the line for a second straight game, converting just 22.2 percent (2-of-9) of its free-throw attempts.
Junior forward Florentino Valencia led UT offensively with a game-high 20 points and connected on a career-best 10 field goals. Junior guards Keonta Howell and Justin Ingram were also in double figures with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Toledo posted an 83-77 home triumph in the only meeting between the two schools last year. Howell registered a then-career high of 20 points, including 18 in the first half.
Ingram leads the Rockets offensively with 13.8 ppg to rank 10th in the MAC. Howell (11.8 ppg) and Valencia (10.9 ppg) are also averaging in double figures.
CMU has two players scoring in double figures with sophomore guard Giordan Watson (13.4 ppg) and junior forward Sefton Barrett (13.3 ppg).
The Chippewas have just one MAC win this season and its 81-75 setback at Eastern Michigan on Wednesday gave the Eagles their first conference victory.
CMU (3-16, 1-10 MAC) at Toledo (10-9, 3-8 MAC)
WHEN: Saturday, February 4, 7:00 p.m. EST.
WHERE: John F. Savage Hall (9,000), Toledo, OH.
2005-06 RECORDS:
• Toledo (10-9, 3-8 MAC)
• Central Michigan (3-16, 1-10 MAC)
SERIES RECORD: Toledo leads, 46-26. The Rockets have won their last five meetings with CMU and have swept the season series with the Chippewas the last two years.
ABOUT CENTRAL MICHIGAN: The Chippewas have one road victory this season with a 71-61 win at Buffalo. CMU ranks last in the MAC in scoring offense (57.9), FG% (39.2), FT% (65.3) and turnovers per game (19.2).
COACHES:
• Stan Joplin, 163-121 at Toledo (10th year), same overall. vs. CMU: 15-5
• Jay Smith, 94-152 at CMU (9th year), 117-158 overall (10th year). vs. UT: 5-13
RADIO: WSPD (1370 AM) in Toledo. Mark Beier will handle play-by-play with Jay Lehman providing analysis.
TV: None.
Internet: Rocket broadcasts can be heard on the world wide web at www.utrockets.com.
