ATHENS, Ohio – Toledo moved into sole possession of first place in the Mid-American Conference's West Division with a convincing 91-57 victory at Ohio on Tuesday evening. The victory extended the Rockets' winning streak to a season-high four games and was also UT's seventh win in its last eight outings.

Toledo utilized a balanced attack to post its third straight victory at Ohio's Convocation Center as well as its largest margin of victory ever in the facility. Senior guard Tre'Shaun Fletcher topped all scorers with 18 points and he was joined in double figures by junior guard Jaelan Sanford (16 pts.), junior forward Nate Navigato (16 pts.) and sophomore forward Willie Jackson (14 pts.).

Jackson also grabbed eight boards to help the Rockets dominate the glass with a season-best 48-29 rebounding advantage. Sophomore center Luke Knapke led UT with a game-high nine rebounds with junior forward Taylor Adway and Fletcher collecting seven and six, respectively.

Toledo excelled on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. UT posted a 52.2 field-goal percentage and was a scorching 13-of-22 (59.1 percent) from behind the three-point arc. The Rockets limited the Bobcats to a 34.9 percent shooting mark and a 20.0 (3-of-15) three-point field-goal percentage.

"We're getting better defensively and that played a big role in our win tonight," Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "We're also extremely unselfish offensively and that makes us hard to guard. It certainly was a total team effort tonight, and that was a big key for us in getting another road win."

Toledo took the lead for good at 17-11 following freshman guard Marreon Jackson's back-to-back treys with 12:13 remaining in the first half. A layup and two free throws from Willie Jackson increased UT's lead to 21-14 less than two minutes later.

A Navigato three-pointer then provided the Rockets their first double-digit lead, 30-20, and ignited a 15-0 burst that blew the game open and gave UT a 42-20 cushion three minutes before halftime. The Bobcats cut Toledo's lead to 44-25 at intermission on junior forward Gavin Block's three pointer right before the buzzer.

The Rockets kept their foot on the pedal throughout the second half as the closest Ohio could come was within 15 points in the second stanza's first four minutes. Sanford put an end to any thoughts of a Bobcat comeback with eight straight points for a 55-35 advantage. The Rockets' lead didn't dip below 20 points the rest of the evening.

Toledo returns home to Savage Arena to host Kent State (9-9, 3-2 MAC) on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 7:00 p.m. The Golden Flashes have won two straight games, including tonight's 73-71 victory over Western Michigan.


Coach Kowalczyk's Post-Game Comments at Ohio


Nate Navigato's Post-Game Comments at Ohio