TOLEDO, OH - Toledo registered one of its most lopsided victories ever on Tuesday evening with a 107-43 dismantling of NAIA foe Indiana-Northwest (2-13) in Savage Arena. The contest served as the Rockets' final tuneup prior to opening Mid-American Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 7 at Central Michigan.
The 64-point triumph represented the Midnight Blue and Gold's fifth-largest margin of victory ever, while UT topped the century mark for the first time since a 103-66 win over Wright State on Dec. 22, 2003.
Sophomore G Rian Pearson led the Rockets (8-6) with his fourth double-double of the season, tallying 19 points , 13 rebounds and a career-best five assists in just 21 minutes.
In addition to Pearson's exploits, sophomore F Matt Smith (21 pts.) and sophomore C Richard Wonnell (8 pts., career-high 10 reb.) registered personal scoring highs. Freshman G Julius Brown (20 pts.) also tied his season highs with eight assists and four steals, while Smith hit 8-of-9 shots to raise his season shooting mark to a team-high 58.3 percent.
Junior G Dominique Buckley also produced a stellar all-around performance with 15 points, six assists, a career-high five steals and a 6-of-6 performance from the charity stripe.
Toledo shot an impressive 54.9 percent for the contest, including a sparkling 65.7 percent in the first half. UT also dominated the glass with a 52-22 advantage.
The Rockets held a 66-24 halftime lead and maintained their defensive intensity throughout the contest. IU-Northwest shot 24.5 percent, including a miniscule 13.0 percent in the second stanza.
