Toledo Entertains Findlay on Saturday in Second Exhibition Game

Saturday, November 2

Toledo, Ohio

Noon

University of Toledo

Findlay (Exh.)

Freshman Mali Morgan-Elliott and the Rockets host Findlay on Saturday in their final exhibition game at Noon.

Photo by: Toledo Athletics

Toledo Entertains Findlay on Saturday in Second Exhibition Game

10/31/2019 9:55:00 AM | Women's Basketball

TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo women's basketball team will host NCAA Division II member Findlay on Saturday, Nov. 2 for its second exhibition game prior to the 2019-20 campaign. The contest is scheduled to tip off at Noon in Savage Arena.

Admission and parking are free for Saturday's exhibition finale and fans still have the opportunity to select a season-ticket plan that meets their needs. Fans can purchase season tickets by calling (419) 530-GOLD (4653), visiting the Rocket Ticket Office at Savage Arena or by ordering online at UTRockets.com.

The Rockets, who earlier this week were picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference West Division in a vote of the league's head coaches, are coming off a hard-fought 70-61 victory against Tiffin on Sunday at home. The Midnight Blue & Gold utilized a pivotal 10-1 run late in the fourth quarter to hold off the Dragons.

Freshman Quinesha Lockett paced Toledo with a contest-tying best 16 points, followed by senior Mariella Santucci, junior Tanaya Beacham and freshman Mali Morgan-Elliott with nine points each. The Rockets also received eight points from senior transfer Arianne Whitaker off the bench.

As a team, Toledo shot 37.7 percent (20-of-53) from the floor and 58.0 percent (29-of-50) from the free throw line. They also posted a 49-44 advantage on the glass, sparked by a game-high 10 caroms from Beacham, followed closely by Santucci and Whitaker with eight and six, respectively. Payton Vogel led Tiffin with a contest-high five three-point field goals and 16 points, while Savannah Richards tallied 13.

Toledo will battle Findlay in an exhibition matchup for a second-consecutive year. A season ago, the Rockets secured a 77-70 come-from-behind, overtime triumph against the Oilers at home. The Rockets outscored UF 35-18 in the fourth quarter and extra period to post the heart-pounding victory. Mikaela Boyd led Toledo's attack with 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Kaayla McIntyre had 15 points, a game-high 12 boards and a contest-best three rejections. Also scoring in double digits were Santucci with 13 points and senior Sara Rokkanen and junior Tatyana Davis had 12 points each. Rokkanen shot a blistering 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, including one with only 3.5 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. The Helsinki, Finland native followed that triple up with another for the first points in the extra period to give Toledo a lead it would not relinquish. Anna Hintz paced the Oilers with a game-high 21 points, followed by Ellissa Ellerbrook and Allie Thobe had 17 and 12 points, respectively.

Findlay posted a 20-8 overall record in 2018-19, including 16-6 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). The Oilers, who play Mid-American Conference member Miami on Thursday prior to taking on the Rockets, have been picked to finish fourth among 13 teams in the G-MAC Preseason Coaches Poll. Jim Wiedie is set to begin his seventh season at the helm of the program.