TOLEDO, OH - Toledo wrapped up its swing through the Mid-American Conference East Division with a perfect 6-0 ledger, posting a 68-48 victory over Ohio on Saturday in Savage Arena. With the 20-point home triumph, the Rockets improve to 18-6 overall and 10-1 in the MAC, registering their third-consecutive season with double-digit conference wins.
Junior Naama Shafir led a balanced UT attack with a game-high 17 points, while senior Jessica Williams contributed 12 points. The MAC's overall leader also received quality performances from senior Melissa Goodall (9 pts., game-high 9 rbs., collegiate-best 8 asts.), sophomore Yolanda Richardson (8 pts., 4 rbs., 2 blks.), sophomore Lecretia Smith (8 pts., 3 rbs.) and redshirt freshman Andola Dortch (6 pts., 4 asts.) to extend their win streak to a season-high six games.
The Rockets shot a season-high 49.1 percent (28-of-57) from the field and equally impressive 40.9 percent (9-of-22) from beyond the arc to claim their 20th consecutive home win over the Bobcats (7-17, 3-8 MAC). The 2009-10 MAC West Division champs also finished with a whopping 20 assists and held a 34-31 edge on the boards. Ohio came into today's matinee ranked fourth in the MAC in rebounding margin (+1.8).
UT came ready to play from the opening tip and six early points from Smith jump started them to a 10-2 lead at 14:44.
Moments later, the Rockets broke the game open with a 14-0 burst to stretch their lead to 26-7 with 8:38 remaining in the half. Williams and Shafir sparked the run with two triples each to establish a 19-point bulge.
The Midnight Blue & Gold was still not done pushing the tempo and closed the period with a mini 13-6 rally to take a 43-24 lead into the intermission. UT knocked down a sizzling 53.6 percent (17-of-32) from the floor and a scorching 60.0 percent (6-of-10) from three-point land in the first 20 minutes. The home team was also credited with helpers on 13 of their 17 baskets, while committing only five turnovers.
Toledo did not put it in cruise control to begin the second half despite its sizable cushion, but instead scored eight of the first 10 points to build a game-high 25-point advantage, 51-26, at 17:10. Shafir sparked the quick second-half start and really took the spirits from the Bobcats with back-to-back layups. The closest Ohio would get was 19 points for the remainder of regulation.
Alesia Howard led Ohio with 13 points and six caroms, while Shavon Robinson and Ashley Fowler chipped in 10 points each. The Bobcats were limited to 35.6 percent (19-of-52) from the field and 25.0 percent (2-of-8) from three-point land. The visitors were also guilty of committing 24 turnovers, which UT translated into 25 points.
The Rockets return to the court on Wednesday, Feb. 16 when they host MAC West Division foe Western Michigan. The opening tip is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Savage Arena. UT downed WMU in its first meeting this season, 63-60 in overtime, on Jan. 8 in Kalamazoo and will be looking to sweep the regular-season series for the fourth time in the last five years.
