TOLEDO, Ohio - Toledo (13-7, 5-4 MAC) will look to remain within striking distance of first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division standings on Saturday, Feb. 9 when it hosts Eastern Michigan (10-10, 3-6 MAC). Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and will be shown on ESPN+.

In conjunction with tomorrow's contest, UT will host the fourth-annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day. National Girls and Women in Sports Day honors the accomplishments and hard work of female student-athletes in the classroom, in sports and in the community. The day will showcase UT's current female student-athletes, staff and coaches and thank them for all of their hard work.

Along with National Girls & Women in Sports Day, UT and Rockets Sports Properties will hold an Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (UMADAOP) funded by the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County. UMADAOP's sponsorship is designed to help raise awareness about ways to prevent and help eliminate the opiate and heroin abuse epidemic that is occurring throughout Lucas County.

The Rockets are currently tied for second place in the MAC West Division standings with Northern Illinois (13-8, 5-4 MAC) and trails frontrunner Central Michigan (16-5, 7-2 MAC) by two contests at the midway point of the league season.

UT is coming off a 73-63 road setback at 2018 "Sweet 16" participant Buffalo on Wednesday.

Toledo was outscored 47-27 in the second half, as the Bulls shot 53.6 percent (15-of-28) from the field and 78.9 percent (15-of-19) from the charity stripe in the final 20 minutes.

Cierra Dillard and Summer Hemphill each registered 15 points after the intermission to help UB overcome a 36-26 halftime deficit.

Senior Kaayla McIntyre paced the Midnight Blue & Gold with 22 points, eight boards and three helpers against the Bulls, marking the fifth time she has surpassed the 20-point plateau this year.

Senior Mikaela Boyd added nine points, a contest-best nine caroms and a team-high seven assists, while junior Sara Rokkanen knocked down a game-high three triples and finished with nine points.

One of the deciding factors in Wednesday's MAC cross-division match-up was turnovers. UT was guilty of 19 miscues, which UB translated into 22 points.

As a team, the Rockets shot 36.2 percent (21-of-58) from the field and 75.0 percent (18-of-24) from the charity stripe. UT was also limited to 18.8 percent (3-of-16) from three-point range, including 0-of-10 in the pivotal second half.

Toledo, which sports a 7-2 home record this season, is fueled offensively by the quartet of McIntyre, Boyd, junior Mariella Santucci and sophomore Nakiah Black, who are averaging 15.6, 9.9, 9.8 and 9.8 ppg, respectively. This group is responsible for 66.8 percent (893-of-1,336) of Toledo's scoring.

UT will square off against an ultra-athletic Eastern Michigan squad, which has lost four of its last five games. Most recently, the Eagles dropped a 63-58 road decision against Miami on Wednesday. The RedHawks outscored the Eagles 20-9 in the third quarter to secure a lead they would not give up. Courtnie Lewis led EMU with 18 points, followed closely by Corrione Cardwell with 17.  

Eastern Michigan, which is 3-8 away from  home, features an offense with three players averaging at least 10.9 points per game led by Danielle Minott and Cardwell's 15.2 and 13.5 ppg.

UT and EMU will meet for the first of two times this year and 83rd time overall. The Rockets travel to Ypsilanti to take on the Eagles on Wednesday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Convocation Center.  

Toledo leads the all-time series against Eastern Michigan, 49-33, and has won three of the last four meetings against its division rival. UT also holds a 27-12 edge in games played at home. 

A year ago, the teams split their two meetings with the home team emerging victorious each time. The Rockets suffered a 70-57 road setback against the Eagles in the Convocation Center (Jan. 6), before securing an 80-69 home triumph in Savage Arena (Feb. 21). 

Following tomorrow's MAC West Division match-up, the Rockets will host East Division foe Ohio (19-2, 8-2 MAC) on Wednesday, Feb. 13. The opening tip against the Bobcats is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and will be shown on ESPN+.

In conjunction with Wednesday's cross-division showdown, UT will host the second-annual Rockets' Wine Night. Heidelberg Distributing will feature 11 of their most popular wines in the Fetterman Practice Gym beginning at 5:30 p.m. 

Cost for the event is $30.00 and includes a game ticket, 10 wine samples and delicious appetizers. Tickets to the event are $23.00 for fans who have already purchased their game tickets. The cost for designated drivers is $19.00 and includes game ticket and appetizers with soft drinks. This event is for fans 21-years old and over only.

UT and Ohio will square off for the only time during the regular season and 71st time overall. 

The Rockets lead the all-time series, 45-25, but have dropped five of the last six meetings against their intrastate foe. UT also holds a 28-8 edge in games played in at home. 

A season ago, the teams split their two meetings with the home team emerging victorious each time. The Rockets suffered a 78-61 road setback against the Bobcats in the Convo (Dec. 31), before securing a 75-57 home triumph in Savage Arena (Jan. 10).