ESTERO, Fla. - The University of Toledo men's basketball team (4-1) will play for a championship tonight when it faces an unbeaten UC-Irvine (6-0) squad in the finals of the Gulf Coast Showcase at Hertz Arena in Estero, Fla. Tip-off time is set for 7:30 p.m. and can be seen at gulfcoastshowcase.com for a fee of $9.95. Fans can also listen to an audio broadcast on utrockets.com or the Rocket Radio Network.
The Rockets posted a 77-64 victory over Louisiana in last night's semifinals after dominating Florida Gulf Coast in a 90-62 victory on Monday evening.
Toledo utilized a balanced attack against hte Ragin' Cajuns with seniors Nate Navigato and Jaelan Sanford leading the way with 17 points apiece. Junior Willie Jackson tallied 13 points and a career-high 16 rebounds for his third double-double of the season, while sophomore Marreon Jackson had 11 points and a game-high five assists..
Sanford is averaging a team-high 19.0 ppg and is one of five Rockets scoring in double digits. Willie Jackson is averaging a double-double with 12.8 ppg and 10.2 rpg to go along with a 65.7 field-goal percentage.
UC-Irvine has posted victories over Texas-San Antonio (65-56) and Tulane (67-55) to advance to the championship game. Earlier this season, the Anteaters registered a 74-73 triumph at Texas A&M. Redshirt freshman forward Collin Welp leads UCI with 10.2 ppg and is one of seven players averaging 7.5 ppg or higher.
The Anteaters are allowing just 59.0 ppg with their opponents shooting 34.0 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from three-point range.
POST TOUCHES
• Toledo will be looking to win its third tournament title under Coach Kowalczyk.
• Four or more Rockets have scored in double digits in every game this season.
• The Rockets have registered a 50.0 field-goal percentage or higher in four of five contests.
• UT has shot 75.0 percent or better from the free-throw line in every game this season.
• Toledo has outrebounded its opponents in four of five games this season and is undefeated in those contests.
• Toledo has made 10 or more three-point field goals in four consecutive games and is shooting 46.7 percent (35-of-75) behind the three-point arc in its last three contests.
