TOLEDO, Ohio – A shorthanded Toledo squad built a double-digit first-half lead but couldn't hold on in an 83-70 setback to Kent State in Savage Arena on Tuesday evening.
 
Junior Marreon Jackson led three Rockets in double figures with 25 points to go along with a game-high seven assists. Seniors Luke Knapke (17 pts., 10 reb.) and Willie Jackson (12 pts., 12 reb.) each tallied double-doubles to help Toledo register a 35-33 advantage on the boards. 
 
Junior Spencer Littleson did not play for Toledo (11-10, 3-5 MAC) due to injury.
 
Kent State (15-6, 5-3 MAC) was paced offensively by the senior trio of Troy Simons (25 pts.), Antonio Williams (21 pts.) and Danny Pippen (16 pts., 10 reb.).
 
"I knew Kent State would make a run at us because they're a talented team," Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "They have four good seniors, and they weren't just going to roll over. They made a run, and we just didn't respond like we should have."
 
Toledo shot 45.9 percent from the field and 30.8 percent (8-of-26) from three-point range, while the Golden Flashes posted a 45.5 shooting mark and were 9-of-22 (40.9 percent) beyond the three-point arc. Kent State held a decided advantage at the charity stripe, converting 24-of-30 attempts compared to the Rockets' 6-of-8 totals.
 
Toledo started quickly and led 18-4 less than six minutes into the game. The Rockets increased their lead to 31-10 at the 7:29 mark, but Kent State closed the half with a 22-4 spurt to trail by only three at halftime.
 
"Our start of the game was tremendous with how we defended and pushed it in transition," Kowalczyk said. "That lead evaporated after we had some live ball turnovers and missed layups that led to Kent State scoring in transition. We regrouped at halftime and competed but then they started to get it going later in the second half."
 
The early stages of the second half was evenly played until the Golden Flashes took a 60-49 advantage with 8:34 to play thanks to a 7-0 burst.

The Rockets committed 14 turnovers compared to Kent State's seven miscues leading to a 24-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
Toledo returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 1 when it travels to Ypsilanti, Mich. to face Eastern Michigan. Tip-off time at the Convocation Center is set for 2:00 p.m.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
FIRST HALF
 

• Toledo made its first six shots to take a 14-4 lead and force Kent State to take a timeout at the 15:48 mark. Luke Knapke led the way during that hot start with eight points.
• Four different Rockets – Luke Maranka, Keshaun Saunders, Marreon Jackson and Knapke - scored during a 9-0 spurt that gave Toledo its largest lead of the night, 31-10, with 7:29 left in the half.
• Kent State scored the half's final 16 points to cut its deficit to 35-32 at intermission.
• Toledo shot 55.2 percent in the opening 20 minutes and limited the Golden Flashes to a 43.3 mark.
• Luke Knapke led Toledo with 14 points and six rebounds.

 
SECOND HALF
 

• Kent State evened the game at 37-37 on Anthony Roberts' three-pointer just over two minutes into the half.
• Marreon Jackson answered for the Rockets by scoring five straight points to push Toledo's lead back to five points, 42-37, at the 16:43 mark.
• C.J. Williamson's three-point field goal gave Kent State its first lead since the opening minutes, but Marreon Jackson again answered with a jumper to knot the score at 46-46 with 13:47 remaining.
• Troy Simons' trey put the Rockets down 53-47 three minutes later, but Dylan Alderson's jumper in the paint on the next possession made it a four-point game.
• A 7-0 run gave the Golden Flashes their first double-digit lead, 60-49, with 8:34 left.
• Toledo cut its deficit to 77-70 on a Marreon Jackson three-pointer with 1:23 to play but that was as close as it could come.

 
 
 
Toledo vs Kent State Recap.
 
 
Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk Post-game.


Senior Luke Knapke Post-game.