TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo outscored Eastern Michigan 44-32 in the second half en route to posting an 80-69 victory on Wednesday before 4,018 fans in Savage Arena. With the win, the Rockets improve to 17-10 overall, 8-7 in the Mid-American Conference.

UT held a decisive 26-17 scoring advantage in the fourth period and an 18-15 edge in the third to successfully bounce back from a 70-57 setback against the Eagles (10-16, 6-9 MAC) on Jan. 6 in Ypsilanti.

Senior Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott tallied 16 of her squad-best 26 points in the second half to pace the 2017 MAC Champions, while junior Kaayla McIntyre tallied 13 of her 24 after the intermission to help them register their highest-point total in league play.

Junior Mikaela Boyd added 14 points, a game-high 12 caroms, a contest-tying best six helpers and a game-high five thefts to post her squad-best ninth double-double on the year. 

As a team, the Midnight Blue & Gold shot a season-high 54.5 percent (30-of-55) from the field, including 41.2 percent (7-of-17) from three-point land, and 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from the charity stripe.

In a match-up against one of the most athletic teams in the MAC, UT did a great job taking care of the basketball, finishing with a season-tying best 25 assists and only 13 turnovers. Three Rockets dished out at least five helpers, including a career-high six from McIntyre. 

Toledo also won the battle on the glass, 36-34, and had three players with at least six boards, highlighted by a contest-best 12 by Boyd.

Danielle Minott led EMU with a game-high 30 points, shooting 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. Toledo native Sasha Dailey chipped in with 17 points.

The Eagles connected on 40.3 percent (25-of-62) from the floor, but the visitors were restricted to only 34.4 percent (11-of-32) in the second half, as they suffered their seventh loss over the last eight games.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
* Minott drilled three early triples to help EMU assume a 22-17 lead after the opening 10 minutes. UT's Bravo-Harriott was equally as impressive shooting the ball in the first period, tallying two treys and posting 10 points to keep the home team within striking distance.

* Toledo cut the deficit to one point, 24-23, early in the second quarter on the strength of three-consecutive layups from Boyd. Unfortunately for the Rockets, EMU countered by ripping off 11 of the next 13 points to make it a double-digit difference, 35-25, with 4:33 left in the opening half.  

* The Rockets did not panic though, but rather ended the half on a 12-2 burst to cut the deficit to 37-36 at the intermission. McIntyre triggered the late burst with six points to make it a one-possession affair at halftime. 

* UT momentarily took the lead, 41-40, on the heels of five-consecutive points by McIntyre at the 6:58 mark in the third stanza. The Toledo native was credited with a pair of baskets and one free throw to give the home team their first advantage in the contest.

* The teams traded the lead on three more occasions in the period, before the Rockets utilized a 19-8 rally to take a 62-54 lead with 6:51 left in regulation. Bravo-Harriott sparked the game-changing burst with a pair of treys and eight points, while McIntyre had six to force EMU to call a timeout. It proved to be a lead Toledo would not relinquish.   

* EMU pulled within four points on two occasions midway through the final stanza, but the Rockets put the contest away with a game-sealing 10-0 run to stretch the score to 76-62 with only 2:24 left on the clock. Bravo-Harriott started the rally with her fifth triple and capped it off with a layup to put the finishing touches on an impressive home triumph.          

UP NEXT:
* Toledo will travel to Ball State (22-4, 11-4 MAC) on Saturday, Feb. 24. Game time versus the Cardinals is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Worthen Arena and will be streamed live on ESPN3.

* UT and BSU will meet for the second time this year and 79th time overall. The Rockets claimed a 72-66 triumph against BSU on Jan. 17 in Savage Arena.

* Toledo leads the all-time series, 54-24, and has won the two last contests against its division rival. UT also holds a 23-14 advantage in games played in Worthen Arena, but has dropped three of the last four meetings on the road. A year ago, Toledo secured a 76-66 overtime road victory (March 4).


Highlights from UT's win over Eastern Michigan.


Head Coach Tricia Cullop post-game.


Senior Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott post-game.