Jan. 9, 2007

Final Stats |  Notes

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) - Senior guard Justin Ingram scored 18 points and junior guard Kashif Payne added a season-high 14 points and five rebounds to lead Toledo past Central Michigan, 65-60, on Tuesday night. The victory puts UT all alone in first place in the MAC's West Division.

The Rockets (6-8, 2-0 Mid-American) led by as many as 13 points in the second half, but the Chippewas (6-8, 1-1) pulled to within one, 59-58, on a Jordan Bitzer 3-pointer with 1:20 remaining.

However, a loose ball foul on Eddie Spencer as well as a technical foul on the CMU bench allowed Toledo to make two free throws and take a 61-58 lead it would not relinquish.

Central Michigan's Giordan Watson finished with 15 points and eight assists, while Justin Blevins contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Senior forward Keonta Howell scored 12 points and sophomore guard Tyrone Kent came off the bench to add eight points, a team-high seven rebounds and four steals for Toledo.

The Rockets led by as many as 11 points in the first half and were up 29-20 at halftime. But Blevins capped a 19-6 run with a pair of free throws to tie the game at 46 with 8:28 remaining.

Toledo returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 13 for its conference home opener vs. Western Michigan (6-9, 1-1 MAC). Tip-off time is set for 7:00 p.m.