Rockets' Seven-Game Win Streak Halted by Ball State, 75-63

Tuesday, January 30

Toledo, Ohio

7:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

15-7 (7-2MAC)

Ball State

14-8 (5-4MAC)

Ball State

TOLEDO

Senior guard Tre'Shaun Fletcher tallied 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists vs. Ball State.

Photo by: Toledo Athletics

Rockets' Seven-Game Win Streak Halted by Ball State, 75-63

1/30/2018 10:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Stats (PDF)

TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo's season-high seven-game winning streak came to an end on Tuesday evening with a 75-63 setback to Ball State in Savage Arena. With the victory, the Cardinals (14-8, 5-4 MAC) now trail the Rockets (15-7, 7-2 MAC) by two games in the Mid-American Conference West Division standings.

Senior guard Tre'Shaun Fletcher led the way for UT with 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for his team-best 10^th double-double of the season. Joining Fletcher in double digits in the scoring column were junior guard Jaelan Sanford and sophomore center Luke Knapke with 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Sophomore forward Tahjai Teague (21 pts.-11 reb.) and junior center Trey Moses (15 pts.-14 reb.) each posted double-doubles to pace the Cardinals. Junior guard Tayler Persons also tallied 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

A critical factor to Ball State sending the Rockets to their first home league defeat this season was a 58-41 advantage on the boards that resulted in a 21-9 edge in second-chance points. Neither team shot better than 40 percent as UT posted a 34.4 field-goal percentage (7-of-27 3fg) and BSU registered a 39.5 shooting mark (7-of-25 3fg).

The Cardinals never trailed after scoring the game's first six points. Junior forward Taylor Adway's free throw and junior guard Jaelan Sanford's three-point field goal cut UT's deficit to 6-4 at the 16:30 mark. Ball State responded though with a 13-3 burst that resulted in a 19-7 cushion just over nine minutes into the contest.

Toledo saw its deficit grow further when Persons' trey provided the visitors a 28-11 lead with 7:10 remaining in the first half. A Sanford three-pointer 90 seconds later ignited a 9-0 spurt to bring the Rockets within striking distance, 30-22, less than four minutes before halftime. Ball State wouldn't let UT get any closer, however, to take a 37-27 lead into intermission.

The Rockets attempted to rally throughout the second half, but Ball State came up with an answer each time. UT cut its deficit to six points on three different occasions, the first at 53-47 following junior forward Nate Navigato's trey with 9:35 to play. After getting a stop on its next possession, UT had two shots to come even closer but could not convert. The Cardinals then responded with a 10-2 spurt for a 63-49 lead with 6:08 remaining.

Toledo produced one last charge when a Knapke layup made the score 65-59 with 3:28 left. BSU quickly answered with a jumper from freshman guard Ishmael El-Amin, but Knapke broke free for another lay-in with 2:52 remaining. The Cardinals put away any hopes of Rocket comeback by scoring six of the game's final eight points.

The Rockets will look to return to their winning ways with a trip to the Rubber City to MAC East Division foe Akron (10-11, 3-6 MAC). The contest will tip off at Noon and be televised live on the CBS Sports Network.

Highlights from UT's game against Ball State.

Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk post-game.

Senior Tre'Shaun Fletcher post-game.