TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo put the defensive clamps on Eastern Michigan en route to securing a 63-43 triumph on Saturday before 4,076 fans in Savage Arena. With the double-digit home victory, the Rockets improve to 14-7 overall, 6-4 in the Mid-American Conference.

UT held the ultra-athletic Eagles (10-11, 3-7 MAC) to just 27.7 percent (18-of-65) from the field, including a frigid 12.5 percent (2-of-16) from three-point land, to successfully bounce back from Wednesday's loss at Buffalo. 

The Rockets limited EMU to season lows in both overall field-goal percentage and points. Eastern Michigan came into today's MAC West Division showdown averaging 63.0 points on 37.9 percent (458-of-1,210) from the floor.

Sophomore Nakiah Black paced the Midnight Blue & Gold with a game-high 21 points on the strength of a contest-best four triples. Black also tallied five rebounds and four helpers in a team-high 37 minutes. The first-year Rocket has now made at least four treys on four occasions this year. 

Senior Kaayla McIntyre added 14 points, a game-high 13 caroms, a contest-best three rejections and two thefts to post her fifth double-double this season, and 14th as a Rocket.

UT also benefited from eight points by senior Mikalea Boyd and a game-high seven dimes from junior Mariella Santucci to run their record to a perfect 4-0 against division opponents this year.

As a team, Toledo shot 46.3 percent (25-of-54) from the field, including 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from three-point range, and 50.0 percent (6-of-12) from the charity stripe.

In addition, UT finished with a sizable 44-38 rebounding advantage, as five players pulled down at least five caroms. 

Danielle Minott led Eastern Michigan with 12 points, but the 2017-18 third-team All-MAC selection was held to 5-of-20 shooting from the field. Autumn Hudson added 11 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.

FIRST QUARTER 
•  Both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the opening 10 minutes, but a period-ending triple by freshman Jaela Johnson gave the home team a 9-6 lead. It proved to be a lead they would not relinquish.

•  UT was limited to 28.6 percent (4-of-14) from the floor in the period, while EMU was restricted to 15.0 percent (3-of-20).  

SECOND QUARTER
•  The Rockets started to heat up in the second quarter, scoring eight of the first 10 points to open up a 17-8 advantage. Four different players contributed points in the rally, forcing the Eagles to call a timeout at the 6:19 mark. 

•  Moments later, Black buried back-to-back triples to give UT a 27-18 lead at the intermission. The Concord, N.C. native poured in 10 points in the period, helping Toledo build a three-possession lead at halftime. 

•  UT shot the ball much better in the second stanza, hitting 50.0 percent (8-of-16) from the field.

THIRD QUARTER
•  McIntyre contributed a pair of layups to extend Toledo's lead to 15 points, 35-20, with 6:25 left in the third quarter. The Toledo native established good position deep in the paint and converted back-to-back baskets to make EMU burn another timeout.

•  The Eagles got themselves back in the contest on seven-straight points from Hudson, but consecutive three-point field goals by junior Sara Rokkanen made UT's lead 46-35 heading into the final 10 minutes. 

FOURTH QUARTER
•  The Rockets then put the game away following two more three-point field goals from Black. The 2018-19 team captain buried a pair of shots from well beyond the three-point arc to make the score 61-41 with 3:30 left in regulation.  

UP NEXT
•  Toledo will entertain MAC East Division front runner Ohio (20-2, 9-2 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).