Rockets Pull Away in Second Half for 75-68 Victory at Findlay

Sunday, October 27

Findlay, Ohio

2:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

0-0,0-0MAC

Findlay (Exh.)

-00,00 GMAC

Toledo

Findlay

Senior Luke Knapke led Toledo with 18 points in its 75-68 win at Findlay.

Photo by: Will Edmonds

Rockets Pull Away in Second Half for 75-68 Victory at Findlay

10/27/2019 4:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Stats (PDF)

FINDLAY, Ohio – The Toledo men's basketball team pulled away in the second half to register a 75-68 triumph over NCAA Division II power Findlay on Sunday afternoon in an exhibition game in Niekamp Arena inside Croy Gymnasium. The contest raised $2,500 for United Way of the Greater Dayton Area and served as the Rockets' final tuneup prior to opening their regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at Valparaiso.

"I wanted to play Findlay on the road so we could get better and we did," Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "We were down seven at halftime and our guys stayed together. We cut down our turnovers in the second half and that limited the transition points they were scoring. I'd like to play exhibitions on the road like this more often, because it was an opportunity for us to learn from our mistakes by playing a team that's well-coached in a loud environment."

Senior Luke Knapke led the Rockets with a game-high 18 points and nine rebounds, while junior Marreon Jackson tallied 13 points and six boards. Senior Willie Jackson also notched a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Junior Spencer Littleson and redshirt freshman Keshaun Saunders also scored in double digits with 11 points each.

Senior Aaron Overhiser topped Findlay with 15 points.

The Rockets trailed much of the first half and a 7-0 spurt by the Oilers right before halftime gave the hosts a 34-27 lead at intermission. Toledo quickly evened the score at 39-39 early in the second half thanks to a 10-3 spurt keyed by treys from Marreon Jackson and Littleson. The Rockets then snapped a 41-41 tie and took the lead for good following a transition layup from Marreon Jackson and a putback from Willie Jackson.

Toledo broke the game open in the game's final seven minutes with a 13-0 burst that resulted in a 71-54 lead with just over three minutes remaining.