TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo men's basketball team will travel to Findlay, Ohio on Sunday, Oct. 27 for its second exhibition game prior to the 2019-20 campaign. The contest is scheduled to tip off at 2:00 p.m. inside the Croy Physical Education Center. Ticket prices are $10.00 for general admission, $5.00 for students (6-17) and $5.00 for seniors (65+).

All proceeds from the game will be given to United Way of the Greater Dayton Area. United Way of the Greater Dayton Area operates the 211 helpline for 11 counties in the region including those affected by the storm over the summer. The 211 helpline is open 24 hours a day and has been taking calls nonstop from storm victims in need of services, with needs ranging from food and rent assistance to diapers. If you would like to volunteer your time to the recovery efforts, please contact United Way at (937) 225-3039. If you would like to contribute to United Way's disaster relief fund to benefit victims of the tornadoes, please visit www.dayton-unitedway.org/give and comment "daytontornado" or text "miamivalley" to 41444.

Toledo traveled to Findlay for an exhibition matchup two years ago and dropped an 89-86 decision to the Oilers. The contest was played before 1,215 fans in Croy Gymnasium and over $6,500 was raised for the hurricane relief efforts being conducted by the American Red Cross.

The Rockets nearly rallied from a nine-point deficit in the final minute but came up just short. Former Rocket Nate Navigato had a chance to tie the contest at the buzzer, but his three-point attempt rimmed out. Tre'Shaun Fletcher topped Toledo with 23 points and nine rebounds, while Jaelan Sanford tallied 22 points. Junior Marreon Jackson and Navigato were in double digits in the scoring column as well with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

"We want to play Findlay because they're good and they're well-coached," Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "I want to give our guys an opportunity to learn what it's like to play in an environment that's loud and grow from that experience. Our season will have nothing to do whether we win or lose this game. We lost down there two years ago and ended up having a great season."

Toledo posted a 25-8 record in 2018-19, a season that included a MAC West Division title and an NIT berth.  The Rockets return three starters from last year's squad – Marreon Jackson (11.7 ppg, 4.2 apg), senior Luke Knapke (10.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and senior Willie Jackson (8.5 ppg, team-high 8.9 rpg) – as well as junior Spencer Littleson (4.2 ppg).

FIRST TIME OUT
Toledo defeated Hillsdale, 79-63, in its first exhibition in Savage Arena last Saturday. Seniors Willie Jackson and Luke Knapke each registered a double-double, with Knapke tying junior Marreon Jackson for game scoring honors with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Willie Jackson grabbed a game-high 15 boards to go along with 14 points. The Rockets' two remaining starters, juniors Spencer Littleson and Dylan Alderson, also scored in double digits with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
 
Toledo started quickly and never trailed in the contest.  The Rockets made six of their first seven shots to bolt out to a 15-2 advantage.  Hillsdale didn't sink its first field goal until hitting a three-point field goal with 14:15 remaining in the first half.
 
The Rockets maintained a comfortable cushion the rest of the half and took a 41-18 lead into the locker room. The Midnight Blue and Gold led by as many as 22 points in the second stanza.

A LOOK AT THE OILERS
Findlay is coming off a 28-5 season and has been picked to finish second in the G-MAC this season. The Oilers have won the last two regular-season conference titles. Senior Aaron Overhiser is back to lead the team after earning second team all-conference accolades a year ago. Overhiser averaged 13.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest for Findlay in 2018-19.

The Oilers have one of the best winning percentages in NCAA Division II competition since the year 2000, having won 471 games and lost only 115 for an overall winning percentage of .804.  During that timeframe, the Oilers reached the 'Elite 8' in 2005, appeared in the 'Sweet 16' in 2008, 2017 and again in 2018, and won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2009 with a perfect 36-0 record.

In the past 15 years, the Oilers have posted a remarkable 235-12 (.951) record at home.

ON THE HORIZON
Toledo will tip off its regular season with a pair of road contests. The Rockets will play at Valparaiso on Tuesday, Nov. 5 before heading to Marshall on Sunday, Nov. 10. Toledo's first home game is against Robert Morris on Saturday, Nov. 16.