TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo extended its win streak to four games on Wednesday evening with another dominating defensive performance in an 80-59 non-conference victory over North Alabama. The Rockets (6-1) limited the Lions (2-5) to just 37.1 percent shooting from the field, marking the third straight game UT has held its opponent under 38 percent.

Junior Luke Knapke led four Rockets in double figures with 18 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists. Joining Knapke in double digits were senior Nate Navigato (17 pts.), senior Jaelan Sanford (13 pts.) and junior Willie Jackson (11 pts.).

Jackson also grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds and two steals en route to his fourth double-double of the season. His work on the boards helped UT own the glass by a 40-29 margin.

Toledo also dished out 25 assists for its most since tallying 28 vs. Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 19, 2015. Sophomore Marreon Jackson set the pace with seven helpers with Navigato and Sanford each collecting a season-high six.

UT shot 50.8 percent from the field, the fifth time this season it has made at least half its shots. The Rockets also knocked down 14-of-29 three-point attempts (48.3 percent) with Navigato hitting 5-of-8 to move into second place on the Rockets' all-time three-point list with 244 triples.

Junior Jamari Blackmon led North Alabama with 16 points.

The Rockets continue their three-game homestand in Savage Arena on Saturday, Dec. 1 with a 2:00 p.m. matchup vs. Cleveland State.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST HALF

• Toledo trailed for only 15 seconds after UNA registered the game's first basket.
• Freshman AJ Edu scored back-to-back baskets to give the Rockets a 13-6 lead with 14:21 remaining in the opening stanza.
• The Rockets took their first double-digit lead, 35-21, with 1:33 remaining in the first half following a 10-0 spurt keyed by three consecutive three-pointers from Nate Navigato, Luke Knapke and Jaelan Sanford.
• Toledo held a 37-25 halftime advantage after posting a 55.6 FG%, a 46.2 3PTFG% (6-of-13) and making just 1-of-2 free-throw attempts.

SECOND HALF

• Toledo's lead never dipped below 12 points and grew to as many as 24 points.
• Willie Jackson's three-point play and a Navigato trey extended UT's advantage to 43-25 less than 80 seconds into the second half.
• Navigato paced the Rockets' second-half scoring with 14 points, while Marreon Jackson dished out six of his seven assists in the final stanza.
• Toledo was 8-of-16 from three-point range and 5-of-5 from the charity stripe in the second half.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Jaelan Sanford has scored in double digits in all seven games this season.
• The Rockets' 6-1 start is their best since winning 12 straight games to open the 2013-14 campaign.
• Toledo is 6-0 when outrebounding its opponent.
• The Rockets had four or more players score in double figures for the sixth time in seven games.
• At least five different Rockets have connected on three-point field goals in six of seven games. The only game that didn't happen was vs. Wilberforce.

Highlights from UT's win over North Alabama.


Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk post-game.


Senior Nate Navigato post-game.