Feb. 25, 2007

Final Stats |  Quotes |  Notes

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - Keonta Howell scored 21 points and Florentino Valencia had 20 as Toledo defeated Western Michigan 79-75 in overtime Sunday.

The Rockets (16-11, 12-2 Mid-American) forced six of the Broncos' 25 turnovers in overtime and tied a season high with 16 offensive rebounds.

Valencia's layup with 3:36 remaining in overtime put Toledo ahead for good. The victory keeps the Rockets one game ahead of both Akron and Kent State for the best overall record in the conference.

Both teams had chances to win the game in regulation, but Western Michigan's Michael Redell turned the ball over with 2.5 seconds to play and Toledo's Justin Ingram's 25-foot shot hit the front of the rim at the buzzer.

Joe Reitz led the Broncos (13-15, 7-7) with 18 points and eight rebounds. Shawntes Gary added 16 points and David Kool 14 for Western, which shot 53 percent for the game.

Jonathan Amos added 12 points for Toledo, which won at University Arena for the first time since 2002 despite making just 5-of-14 free throws.

The Rockets forced 25 turnovers and Amos' steal from Derek Fracalossi and ensuing dunk after the tip in overtime quickly gave UT a 70-68 lead. Gary split a pair of free throws to bring WMU within one, and then Reitz made a layup and was fouled. Reitz had a chance to put the Broncos up two, but missed the free throw, keeping the Broncos on top, 71-70.

WMU got hot early in the first half, at one point going on a 17-2 run to put the Broncos up 13, 27-14. Toledo would cut the lead down to five at halftime. The Broncos shot 61 percent (14-23) from the field in the first half, but also turned the ball over 13 times.

Toledo will play its final two regular-season games at home, hosting Ball State on Thursday, March 1 and Central Michigan on Sunday, March 4.