Knapke Explodes for Career-High 33 in 82-72 Win Over Marshall

Sunday, December 8

Toledo, Ohio

2:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

7-2

Marshall

2-6

Marshall

Toledo

Senior Luke Knapke tallied a career-high 33 points as well as 11 rebounds vs. Marshall.

Photo by: Haley Boehm

Knapke Explodes for Career-High 33 in 82-72 Win Over Marshall

12/8/2019 5:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Stats (PDF)

TOLEDO, Ohio – Senior Luke Knapke registered a second straight standout performance by tallying a career-high 33 points and 11 rebounds in Toledo's 82-72 triumph over Marshall on Sunday afternoon. With the victory, the Rockets (7-2) remained perfect in five contests in Savage Arena.

Knapke, who registered a triple-double on Wednesday at Cleveland State, was extremely efficient shooting the ball, finishing 12-of-16 from the field, 4-of-6 from three-point range and 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. Knapke's 33 points are the most by a Rocket since Tyrone Kent scored 37 at Xavier on Nov. 17, 2008.

"Luke is a coach's dream," Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "He works hard, he's selfless, he's a great student and he comes from a great family. Luke had a tremendous game today, and he just keeps getting better."

Joining Knapke in double digits were junior Marreon Jackson and senior Willie Jackson with 24 and 11 points, respectively. Marreon Jackson dished out a team-high five assists to go along with four steals, while Willie Jackson grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season.

Junior Jarrod West led Marshall (2-6) with 19 points.

Toledo shot just 40.3 percent from the field but was helped out by knocking down nine three-point field goals and hitting 23-of-33 free-throw attempts. Marshall posted a 43.1 shooting mark, hit 10 three-point shots and was 6-of-9 from the charity stripe.

The Rockets enjoyed a 43-35 advantage in the rebounding department, leading to an 18-6 cushion in second-chance points.

Toledo will now take a short break for final exams before returning to action next weekend with a trip up I-75 to face Detroit Mercy on Dec. 14. Tip-off time is set for 3:00 p.m. and will follow the Rocket women's game vs. the Titans that begins at Noon.

HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF

Marshall jumped out to an early 7-2 lead but a pair of Marreon Jackson free throws evened the score at 7-7 four minutes into the contest.
Neither team led by more than three points until Willie Jackson's three-point play and a pair of Luke Knapke free throws gave the Rockets the lead for good, 19-14, just past the midpoint of the opening stanza.
The Thundering Herd cut their deficit to 21-20 on Mikel Beyers' trey at the 7:39 mark, but Spencer Littleson's three-pointer ignited a 6-1 burst to put Toledo ahead 27-21 at the five-minute mark.
Marshall rallied again to within a point, 30-29 on Marko Sarenac's three-pointer with 2:07 remaining in the first half, but Willie Jackson's layup just before halftime gave the Rockets a 33-29 lead at intermission.

SECOND HALF

The Rockets quickly extended their lead to 40-31 in the first 2:13 of the second half thanks to five points from Knapke and a pair of Willie Jackson free throws.
Back-to-back treys from Marreon Jackson put Toledo ahead, 55-45, at the midway point of the second half.
Marshall crept to within three, 59-56, with 8:32 remaining, but Toledo put the game away with an 8-0 spurt on threes from Marreon Jackson and Knapke as well as a Knapke layup.
Toledo's lead didn't dip below eight points the remainder of the contest.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Senior Luke Knapke is the only Rocket to score in double digits in every game this season.
Junior Marreon Jackson tied his season high with four three-point field goals and was 4-of-5 behind the arc in the second half.
Junior Willie Jackson has registered double-digit rebound outings in eight of nine games.
Junior Dylan Alderson grabbed a career-high four steals.
Toledo's 11 steals matched its highest vs. a Division I opponent this season.
The Rockets have won their last three meetings vs. Marshall and is 24-6 vs. the Thundering Herd in the Glass City.