Feb. 13, 2007

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TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Junior guard Kashif Payne hit two of his three 3-pointers in a 15-3 run that put Toledo up for good in a 68-56 victory Tuesday night over Eastern Michigan.

Payne finished with 13 points, and senior forwards Florentino Valencia and Keonta Howell each added 12 points for the Rockets (14-10, 10-2 Mid-American).

The victory was the Rockets' 15th straight in Savage Hall and kept UT in a tie with Akron for the best overall record in the MAC. The Zips rolled to a 79-48 home win over Ohio.

Eastern Michigan was up 30-26 at the half and the game was tied at 45-45 with 10:13 left, but the Rockets' run, capped by a Valencia layup, put Toledo up 60-48 with 6:48 left. The Eagles didn't come closer than nine after that.

Devon Dumes scored 15 points, making 5 of 8 three-pointers, and Brandon Bowdry scored 12 for the Eagles (9-16, 4-8).

Toledo outscored Eastern Michigan 36-16 in the paint and 31-17 in points off turnovers.

The Rockets are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 17 with a non-conference home tilt vs. Colonial Athletic Association power Old Dominion (20-7, 13-3 CAA). The Monarchs are in second place in the CAA following a 96-82 home win over Hofstra.