Toledo Tips Off Longest Home Stretch of Season Against UIC on Thursday

Thursday, December 1

Toledo, OH

7:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

UIC

Freshman Mariella Santucci and the Rockets host UIC on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in Savage Arena.

Toledo Tips Off Longest Home Stretch of Season Against UIC on Thursday

11/30/2016 9:40:00 AM | Women's Basketball

WBB Game Notes vs. UIC/Madonna

TOLEDO, OH - Toledo (4-1) will tip off its longest home stretch of the season when it hosts Horizon League member UIC (2-2) on Thursday, Dec. 1. The match-up against the Flames is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and will be streamed live on ESPN3.

Six of the Rockets' next seven games will take place in the friendly confines of Savage Arena. UT has been nearly unbeatable at home over the last eight-plus years, compiling a stout 101-28 (.783) ledger.

The Midnight Blue & Gold has begun the season winning four of its first five games for the first time since 2012-13. UT has now started a year 4-1 on nine occasions in school history.

Last weekend, Toledo split a pair of neutral-site contests at the Cancun Challenge, claiming a 76-41 victory over Davidson on Thursday, followed up by a tough 75-73 setback against nationally ranked UCLA on Friday.

Junior Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott averaged a squad-best 14.5 points in the two contests and was named to the Cancun Challenge All-Tournament Team for her efforts. In the two games, the 2016-17 team captain shot 56.3 percent (9-of-16) from the field, including a sizzling 64.3 percent (9-of-14) from beyond the arc, in 22.0 minutes.

Through the first five games this season, UT is fueled offensively by the quartet of Bravo-Harriott, sophomore Mikaela Boyd, freshman Mariella Santucci and senior Janice Monakana, who are averaging 12.8, 11.0, 10.6 and 9.8 ppg, respectively.

UIC has split its first four contests this year and most recently dropped a 67-57 decision against IUPUI on Saturday, Nov. 19. Tyra Carlsten-Handberg and Teodora Zagorac paced the Flames with 13 and 10 points against the Jaguars, respectively.

The Flames feature an attack with three players averaging at least 9.5 points per game led by Kiki Bynes' 10.0 ppg and 3.8 apg, followed by Carlsten-Handberg's 9.8 ppg.

Toledo and UIC will meet for the second straight year and eighth time overall. The Rockets hold a 6-1 edge over the Flames in the all-time series, including a 60-51 triumph on Dec. 20, 2015 in the UIC Pavilion.

UT is in the midst of a five-game winning streak between the two schools, including a pair of home victories during this stretch. Most recently, Toledo secured a 97-49 home win over UIC on Dec. 20, 1997.

The Flames' lone win in the series occurred on Feb. 5, 1982 when they registered a 65-58 home victory.

Following tomorrow's match-up, Toledo will entertain NAIA member Madonna University (4-3) on Sunday, Dec. 4. The opening tip against the Crusaders is slated for 2:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and will be streamed live on ESPN3.

Madonna's top scorer is former Rocket Michele Hayes, who played for the Midnight Blue & Gold during the 2012-13 campaign. She appeared in 17 contests off the bench as a freshman that year, averaging 0.8 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.3 steals in 4.3 minutes. Hayes is currently tallying team highs in points (21.9 ppg), helpers (5.6 apg), thefts (1.9 spg) and minutes played (38.1 mpg) for Madonna.