Toledo Puts Winning Streak on the Line at Duquesne on Wednesday

Wednesday, December 6

Pittsburgh, Pa.

5:30 P.M.

University of Toledo

Duquesne

Sophomore Sara Rokkanen has made two triples in three of the last four games.

Toledo Puts Winning Streak on the Line at Duquesne on Wednesday

12/5/2017 1:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball

PITTSBURGH, PA – Toledo will look to continue its red-hot start to the 2017-18 campaign when the reigning Mid-American Conference Champions take on Duquesne (7-2) on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the A.J. Palumbo Center.

The Rockets, who stand at No. 24 in the most recent collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll, have started a season 6-1 on three occasions under 10^th-year head coach Tricia Cullop and nine times in program history.

UT is coming off an impressive 58-39 victory over St. Bonaventure (4-5) on Monday in the Reilly Center that extended its overall winning streak to five games.

Junior Kaayla McIntyre paced the Midnight Blue & Gold with 14 points, a career-tying best 13 rebounds and a game-high three rejections against the Bonnies to tally her squad-best third double-double this year, followed closely by senior Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott with 13 points.

UT also received eight points from junior Olivia Cunningham, seven by senior Jada Woody and six from Sara Rokkanen to record its sixth-consecutive victory against an Atlantic 10 Conference opponent.

The story of Monday's game was the Rockets' blazing start and their stifling defense.

Offensively, UT scored the game's first 17 points and never looked back. Junior Olivia Cunningham and Bravo-Harriott sparked the blazing start, combining for 13 of the 17 points over the opening seven-plus minutes. The Bonnies did not get on the scoreboard until Mariah Ruff converted a pair of free throws at the 2:37 mark in the first period.

Defensively, Toledo limited SBU to 39 points on 27.3 percent (15-of-55) from the field, including a frigid 12.5 percent (3-of-24) from beyond the arc. St. Bonaventure's two leading scorers, Mckenna Maycock and Ruff, were held to 15 points on 6-of-20 shooting from the floor, including 0-of-8 from three-point land. The duo entered the game averaging 24.7 points and connecting on 42.0 percent (29-of-69) from three-point range. UT has now held an opponent to 40 points or less on 15 occasions under Coach Cullop.

Toledo also dominated the glass and finished with a sizable 50-33 rebounding edge, triggered by McIntyre's career-tying best effort.

UT, which is 2-1 away from Savage Arena, is fueled offensively by the quartet of McIntyre, Bravo-Harriott, Cunningham and junior Mikaela Boyd, who are averaging 12.9, 12.7, 9.0 and 8.4 ppg, respectively.

The Rockets will face an equally red-hot team in Duquesne, which is in the midst of a five-game winning streak, most recently securing an 83-58 triumph against Central Connecticut on Saturday. Julijana Vojinovic paced the Dukes with a career-high 25 points and nine boards versus the Blue Devils, while Chassidy Omogrosso had 14 points.

Duquesne, which is 3-0 at home in 2017-18, also utilizes a balanced offense with four players contributing at least 9.8 points led by Omogrosso's and Vojinovic's 17.1 and 16.6 ppg, respectively.

Tomorrow's matchup will showcase UT's stingy defense against the Dukes' high-powered offense. The Rockets are giving up only 60.1 points this season and allowing the opposition to shoot a mere 36.3 percent (151-of-416) from the floor, including an even better 24.8 percent (32-of-129) from three-point range. Duquesne is shooting an impressive 44.4 percent (244-of-549) from the field, including 41.0 percent (77-of-188) from three-point land, and averaging 77.0 points per contest.

Toledo and Duquesne will meet for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign and fifth time overall. The Rockets lead the all-time series, 3-1, most recently securing an 81-57 victory on Nov. 25, 2003 at home. The teams have split their two match-ups in the A.J. Palumbo Center, with the Dukes claiming a 63-60 triumph on Dec. 9, 2002. UT emerged victorious in the other meeting in the "Steel City," registering a 57-52 win on Dec. 30, 1999.

Following tomorrow's match-up against the Dukes, Toledo will entertain Cleveland State on Saturday, Dec. 9 in its only home game during the month of December. The opening tip versus the Vikings is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and the game will be streamed live on ESPN3.

UT has held a decisive edge against CSU in games played at home, winning the last 10 by an average of 20.7 ppg (76.3-55.6). The Vikings' most recent victory in Toledo occurred on Jan. 24, 1981 when they escaped town with a 60-51 triumph.