MT. PLEASANT, MI - Toledo's rally from a 16-point halftime deficit at Central Michigan came up short Tuesday evening in a 77-69 setback to the host Chippewas at McGuirk Arena. The decision snapped the Rockets' season-high four-game winning streak and also ended CMU's season-high three-game losing skid.

Both teams trail Ball State (17-9, 8-5 MAC) by a game in the MAC's West Division following the Cardinals' 73-56 triumph at Miami tonight.

Senior center Nathan Boothe topped UT with 23 points and 10 rebounds for his 13^th double-double of the season. Joining the Rockets' big man in double figures was junior guard Jonathan Williams and junior forward Zach Garber with 16 and 11 points, respectively. Williams has scored 14 or more points in 25-of-26 games this season, while Garber notched his third-straight double -digit scoring outing.

Junior guard Braylon Rayson topped the Chippewas (14-12, 7-6 MAC) with 26 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while senior guard Chris Fowler contributed 16 points, eight boards and a team-best five assists.

Toledo (16-10, 7-6 MAC) could never get untracked with its long-distance shots as it finished with a season-low 12.9 three-point field-goal percentage. The Chippewas knocked down 44.4 percent (12-of-27) of their three-point shots, thanks to Rayson's 7-of-11 showing behind the arc.

The Rockets shot 37.9 percent from the field, just below Central Michigan's 40.0 clip. Free throws were about even as well with UT connecting on 15-of-21 attempts (71.4 percent) and CMU converting 17-of-23 (73.9 percent).

Toledo enjoyed a slim 42-41 rebounding advantage and committed just 10 turnovers (1 in the second half).

The Chippewas outscored the Rockets by a 25-6 margin in the final seven minutes of the first half to take a 45-29 halftime lead. Rayson played a big role in CMU's first-half explosion as he hit 6-of-7 shots behind the arc.

The Rockets rallied to within 58-50 on freshman guard's Jaelan Sanford's three-pointer with 10:19 to play, but Rayson answered with his seventh trey to restore the Chippewas' double-digit lead.

UT kept pushing and crept within three points, 65-62, with 5:17 to play after Boothe slammed one home and hit two free throws on back-to-back possessions. The Rockets then forced a turnover and had a chance to tie but freshman Nate Navigato's trey wouldn't fall. Fowler's three-point play on the Chippewas' next possession put UT down 68-62 at the 4:29 mark.

Toledo couldn't come closer than four points the remainder of the contest.

The Rockets return to action on Saturday, Feb. 20 with a trip to Ypsilanti, MI to face Eastern Michigan. Tip-off time is set for Noon.


Post-Game Comments


Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk


Senior Center Nathan Boothe


Junior Guard Jonathan Williams