TOLEDO, OH – Toledo utilized a strong fourth quarter to secure a 64-50 triumph over Miami on Saturday before 3,381 fans in Savage Arena. With the win, UT improves to 11-3 overall, 2-1 in the Mid-American Conference.

The Rockets outscored the RedHawks (6-10, 0-3 MAC) 28-15 in the final period to claim their 11th-straight victory in the series. The home team shot a sizzling 76.9 percent (10-of-13) from the field during the final 10 minutes, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe to equal their highest point total in a quarter this season. They have now scored 28 points in a period on three occasions.

The Midnight Blue & Gold led by a single point, 36-35, after 30 minutes of competition before utilizing the strong fourth quarter.

Miami did not go quietly though, and closed the gap to within three points on three occasions at the outset of the period, before the Rockets went on a game-sealing 12-6 rally over the final five-plus minutes to secure the double-digit home victory.

With Toledo in front, 48-44, at the 5:12 mark, freshman Mariella Santucci started the pivotal burst with a three-point field goal. Junior Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott, sophomore Mikaela Boyd and junior Jada Woody followed with a pair of layups and a huge triple with the shot clock running out to extend the lead to double figures for the first time, 58-48, with 2:01 left in regulation.    

Miami temporarily stopped UT's momentum with a basket by Lauren Dickerson and was forced to foul to get the ball back, but the Rockets made all six of their charity tosses in the waning moments to pick up the hard-fought home victory. 

Boyd was a flawless 4-of-4 from the free throw line over the final 1:29 to seal the home win, while Santucci drilled the other pair to help Toledo shoot a season-high 78.9 percent (15-of-19) for the game. UT came into today's MAC cross-division match-up last in the league at the stripe. 
 
For the contest, Santucci paced the victors with 15 points, three caroms, five helpers and two steals, followed closely by Boyd with 12 points, eight boards, a team-high seven dimes and a collegiate-best six steals.

The Rockets also received nine points from Bravo-Harriott, eight points, seven rebounds and a career-high four rejections by sophomore Kaayla McIntyre, seven points from freshman Sara Rokkanen and six points and a career-tying best nine boards from sophomore Sarah St-Fort.

UT also did a good job taking care of the basketball, especially in the second half, and finished with 19 assists and only 11 turnovers, marking the eighth time it has totaled more helpers than miscues.  

Dickerson paced the RedHawks with a game-high 17 points and a contest-best eight assists, while Sylvania native Kendall McCoy had 11 points and a team-high seven caroms off the bench.

The Rockets will return to the hardwood on Wednesday, Jan. 11 when they travel to 2016 MAC Tournament champion Buffalo. The opening tip versus the Bulls is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Alumni Arena and will be televised on the Buckeye Cable Sports Network (BCSN) and Time Warner Cable Sports Channel (TWCS).

UT and UB will square off for the first of two match-ups during the 2017 MAC campaign and the 24th time overall. Toledo leads the all-time series, 19-4, but has split the last four meetings against its MAC cross-division foe.

The Rockets also hold a slim 7-4 edge in away games but has dropped the last two meetings in Alumni Arena. 

A year ago, Toledo secured a 71-60 home victory (Feb. 10).