LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Toledo overcame a 16-point, third-quarter deficit en route to registering a thrilling 66-65 victory vs. Pacific on Friday at the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic. With the come-from-behind win in South Point Arena, the Rockets improve to 4-6 on the season.

"We performed at a high level and played with a lot of focus and confidence for 40 minutes against a very good team," Head Coach Tricia Cullop said. "We executed better than we have all year, rebounded well when we needed it, and didn't give up the second-chance points that hurt us in yesterday's game. Tonight, we did all of the little things a team needs to do to win. I'm just so proud of how hard they worked." 

The Midnight Blue & Gold trailed 51-35 at the 5:24 mark in the third period before outscoring the West Coast Conference member Tigers 31-14 for the remainder of regulation to pull off the dramatic triumph.

Freshman Sophia Wiard played an integral part in Toledo's comeback, tallying seven points in the third quarter, including a 60-foot heave as the buzzer sounded to make it a seven-point difference, 58-51, heading into the final period.  

Wiard's three-quarter court shot ignited the Rockets' offense in the fourth stanza, as they rattled off 10 of the first 13 points to knot the score at 61-61 at the 5:33 mark. Four different players accounted for points in the pivotal burst, including a deep trey from senior Sara Rokkanen.

The teams then traded points before junior Nakiah Black buried a gigantic three-point field goal from the wing to give Toledo a 66-65 lead, its first advantage since midway through the first stanza.

The Rockets then stood tall defensively in the final minute, altering a Pacific shot from close range in the last 10 seconds to emerge victorious.     

An All-Tournament selection, Black paced Toledo with a season-high 23 points, followed by freshman Quinesha Lockett with 11.

The Rockets also received eight points from junior Tanaya Beacham and seven by Wiard, all in the late stages of the third period.  

As a team, Toledo shot 37.3 percent (19-of-51) from the floor, including 20.8 percent (5-of-24) from beyond the arc, and 67.6 percent (23-of-34) from the free throw line.

Defensively, the Rockets caused 17 Tigers' turnovers and turned those miscues into 17 points.

Valerie Higgins led Pacific with 19 points, while Brooklyn McDavid and Jessica Blakeslee had 12 and 10, respectively.

FIRST QUARTER
• The Tigers used strong play inside to help them claim an 18-12 lead after the opening 10 minutes. The designated home team scored 14 of their 18 points in the paint, sparked by three field goals from Higgins.

• Black also started fast for the Rockets, knocking down a pair of baskets and two charity tosses in the period.

SECOND QUARTER
• Pacific extended its lead to double figures midway through the quarter following a mini 7-2 rally to make the score 29-18. Three Tigers found the scoring column in the burst to prompt Toledo to call a timeout at the 4:14 mark.

• Black also remained red-hot shooting the ball, burying a pair of three-point field goals following the stoppage in play to set the margin at eight, 36-28, at intermission.

• The two-time team captain posted a team-high 13 points in the opening half, while Higgins led the Tigers with 10.  

THIRD QUARTER
• Just like yesterday's game, Toledo attacked the basket in the third quarter and drew 15 fouls on Pacific. The Rockets benefited from those fouls and shot 14-of-18 from the charity stripe to set the difference at seven heading into the fourth period.

• Toledo's effort was also aided by a 60-plus foot shot from Wiard just seconds before the horn sounded, setting the stage for a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback.

FOURTH QUARTER
• The Rockets were tremendous defensively in the final period, holding Pacific to one field and only seven points. 

• Offensively, Toledo converted a respectable 46.2 percent (6-of-13) from the floor, including the huge triple by Black for the game-winning points.

UP NEXT
• Toledo will close out non-conference play against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) member Canisius (1-6) on Sunday, Dec. 29. The contest against the Golden Griffins is slated for 2:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and will be shown on ESPN+.