TOLEDO, Ohio – Junior Kaayla McIntyre converted a layup with 0.2 seconds left in overtime to propel Toledo to a heart-pounding 69-68 victory over Western Michigan on Saturday before a season-high 5,024 fans in Savage Arena. The Rockets outscored the Broncos 7-6 in the extra period to improve to 16-10 overall, 7-7 in the Mid-American Conference.

McIntyre, who shot a near perfect 12-of-13 from the field, banked in a close-range shot with less than one second remaining to send Savage Arena into a frenzy.

The Toledo native paced the Midnight Blue & Gold with a game-high 25 points, a contest-best 12 caroms, four helpers and a career-high four steals in a collegiate-best 42 minutes to post her seventh double-double on the year. McIntyre registered at least 20 points for the fifth time as a Rocket.  

Senior Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott added 21 points and a season-high seven boards in a season-best 39 minutes. Bravo-Harriott has totaled at least 20 points 10 times as a collegiate, and half of them have come against the Broncos (14-12, 7-7 MAC).

The 2017 MAC Champions also benefited from seven points and seven dimes in a season-high 38 minutes from sophomore Mariella Santucci, as well as six points, 11 rebounds, a squad-best eight assists and two thefts in a career-tying best 42 minutes by junior Mikaela Boyd to secure their ninth-consecutive victory over WMU.   

As a team, the Rockets shot 45.2 percent (28-of-62) from the field, including 22.2 percent (4-of-18) from three-point land, and 45.0 percent (9-of-20) from the charity stripe.

Deja Wimby led Western Michigan with 23 points and a game-high nine helpers, followed by Breanna Mobley and Jordan Walker with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Broncos scored the last nine points in the first period to assume an early 19-16 lead. Wimby sparked the late burst with a pair of layups, including a traditional three-point play, to give the visitors a three-point cushion after the opening 10 minutes.

• WMU's leading scorer Mobley picked up her second foul with 5:02 left in the opening stanza and was forced to the bench.

• In the second quarter, Western Michigan utilized an 11-2 burst to take a 36-29 advantage into the locker room at halftime. Walker and Wimby scored all the points in the run to put the visitors in front by seven points at the break.

• Bravo-Harriott collected her second foul at the 4:42 mark in the second period and had to come out of the contest for the remainder of the opening half.  

• Toledo pulled within three points, 42-39, following Bravo-Harriott's second triple with 5:57 remaining in the third stanza. Unfortunately for the Rockets, WMU countered by ripping off eight of the next 10 points to set the score at 52-45 heading into the final 10 minutes.

• WMU scored the first points in the fourth quarter, before UT reeled off seven straight of its own to close the margin to 54-52 with 4:47 remaining in regulation. A pair of jumpers by Bravo-Harriott capped the rally to give the home fans something to cheer about.

• The MAC West Division rivals then traded baskets over the ensuing three-plus minutes, until McIntyre converted back-to-back layups to give Toledo a 60-59 advantage with 25 seconds left in the final quarter. It was also UT's first lead since the 2:32 mark in the first period.

• The Rockets forced a stop on WMU's ensuing possession, and the visitors were forced to foul Bravo-Harriott with 4.9 seconds showing the clock. The London, England native calmly knocked down both free throws to make it a three-point difference, 62-59.

• Following a Western Michigan timeout to advance the ball to midcourt, Kia Brooks came off the bench cold and drained a corner three-point field goal just before the final horn sounded to send the game into overtime.      

• The Rockets scored the first three points in the extra period, but the Broncos retaliated with consecutive layups to put them in the lead, 66-65, at the 1:59 mark.  
• Bravo-Harriott stepped up and converted the layup on the next possession to give Toledo back the advantage.

• The only points for either squad over the next 1:28 were a pair of charity tosses by Wimby to put WMU in front 68-67 with 3.4 seconds left and set the stage for McIntyre's last-second heroics. 

• After advancing the ball to midcourt, McIntyre received the inbound pass from Boyd in the low post. She quickly squared her shoulders to the basket and calmly converted a layup to give UT the hard-fought triumph. 

UP NEXT:
• The Rockets return to the hardwood on Wednesday, Feb. 21 when they host Eastern Michigan. Game time versus the Eagles is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and will be streamed live on ESPN3.

• UT and EMU will meet for the second time this year and 82nd time overall. The Rockets dropped a 70-57 road decision against the Eagles on Jan. 6 in the Convocation Center.

• Toledo leads the all-time series, 48-33, but has lost five of the eight contests against its division rival. UT also holds a 26-12 advantage in games played in Savage Arena. 

• A year ago, Toledo claimed a 65-57 home triumph (Feb. 22).

• In conjunction with Wednesday's division match-up against EMU, Toledo will host the inaugural Rockets' Wine Night. Heidelberg Distributing will feature 12 of their most popular wines in the Fetterman Practice Gym beginning at 5:30 p.m. 

• Cost for the event is $30.00 and includes a game ticket, 12 wine samples, and delicious appetizers. Tickets to the event are $20.00 for fans who have already purchased their game tickets. The cost for designated drivers is $20.00 and includes game ticket and appetizers with soft drinks. This event is for fans 21 years old and over only.


Highlights from UT's victory against Western Michigan.


Head Coach Tricia Cullop post-game.


Junior Kaayla McIntyre post-game.


Senior Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott post-game.