TOLEDO, OH - Toledo wrapped up its non-conference season with a 98-58 triumph over Ohio Christian on Friday evening in Savage Arena. The victory improved UT's overall record to 7-6 entering its Mid-American Conference opener vs. Buffalo (6-7) on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Senior guard
Jonathan Williams paced the Rockets with 20 points, giving him his sixth straight 20-point outing. Sophomore guard
Jaelan Sanford tallied 17 points, while senior forward
Steve Taylor Jr. contributed 13 points, a team-best 10 rebounds and a team-high five assists for his MAC-best 10
th double-double of the season.
Sophomore forward
Nate Navigato also scored in double digits for Toledo with 10 points.
Senior guard Marquis Jackson was the lone Ohio Christian player to score in double figures, finishing with 14 points in 27 minutes.
Toledo was efficient offensively in both halves, shooting 59.4 percent in the opening 20 minutes and 51.7 percent after halftime for a season-high 55.7 shooting mark. The Rockets also dished out a season-high 20 assists and committed a season-low nine turnovers.
UT registered a 42-29 advantage on the boards and limited the Trailblazers to a 36.9 FG% and a 29.0 3PTFG% (9-of-31).
The Rockets broke open the game midway through the first half with a 17-0 run to take a 39-23 advantage 5:20 before intermission. Navigato's trey just before the halftime buzzer sent Toledo to the locker room with a 53-29 cushion.
The Midnight Blue and Gold's lead didn't fall below 21 points the rest of the contest with UT assuming its largest advantage, 91-48, following a Navigato free throw with 6:03 to play.
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