Toledo to Travel to Eastern Michigan on Tuesday
1/15/2007 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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Jan. 15, 2007
TOLEDO, OH - Following an 80-68 triumph over Western Michigan in its Mid-American Conference home opener, Toledo (7-8, 3-0 MAC) heads back out on the road to face Eastern Michigan (7-9, 2-1 MAC) on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Tip-off time is set for 7:00 p.m.
The Rockets have taken an early lead in the MAC's West Division and are the only team in the MAC that is unbeaten in league play. UT holds a one-game lead over the Eagles and Central Michigan (7-8, 2-1 MAC) in the West Division.
Keying the Rockets' unblemished start in conference play has been a strong defense. UT is leading the MAC in field-goal percentage defense (39.4) in conference games only, is second in 3PTFG% defense (25.0) and tied for third in scoring defense (62.7 ppg).
In Toledo's win over Broncos on Saturday, senior Justin Ingram scored 26 points to go along with five assists, four rebounds and four steals. Three other Rockets also scored in double figures led by senior Florentino Valencia's 14 points. Senior Keonta Howell and junior Jerrah Young each scored 13 points with Young's total marking a career high.
Young is off to a solid start in conference play, averaging 7.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Ingram leads the Rockets and ranks third in the MAC averaging 16.9 points per game, while Howell is fourth in the MAC with 16.7 ppg.
Valencia leads the conference and ranks 11th nationally with his 64.8 field-goal percentage and ranks 11th in rebounds per game (5.9) and tied for 17th with 12.6 points per game.
Eastern Michigan has won its last two games after dropping a 74-68 decision to CMU at home in its MAC opener. Since beginning the season with a 1-7 ledger, the Eagles have won six of their last eight games.
Junior guard Jesse Bunkley tallied a career-high 22 points to lead EMU to its second straight win, a 56-52 win at Ball State. Bunkley connected on 6-of-13 three-pointers and also hit two clutch free throws with two seconds left to ice the game.
Sophomore Carlos Medlock and Bunkley lead the Eagles in scoring, averaging 11.7 and 11.1 ppg respectively.
Toledo has won its last three matchups vs. Eastern Michigan and holds a 6-2 all-time record in EMU's Convocation Center.
Toledo (7-8, 3-0 MAC) at Eastern Michigan (7-9, 2-1 MAC)
WHEN: Tuesday, January 16, 7:00 p.m. EST.
WHERE: Convocation Center (8,824), Ypsilanti, MI.
2006-07 RECORDS:
• Toledo (7-8, 3-0 MAC)
• Eastern Michigan (7-9, 2-1 MAC)
SERIES RECORD: Toledo leads, 40-36. The Rockets swept their season series with the Eagles for the first time in three years last season. UT has won its last three meetings vs. EMU.
ABOUT EMU: The Eagles have won six of their last eight games since opening the season with a 1-7 mark. EMU is 5-2 at home with its two losses coming to Oakland (66-54) and Central Michigan (74-68).
COACHES:
• Stan Joplin, 180-131 at Toledo (11th year), same overall. vs. EMU: 12-10
• Charles Ramsey, 14-30 at EMU (2nd year), same overall. vs. UT: 0-2
TELEVISON: None.
RADIO: WSPD (1370 AM) in Toledo. Mark Beier will handle play-by-play with Jay Lehman providing analysis.
Internet: Rocket broadcasts can be heard on the world wide web at www.utrockets.com.
