TOLEDO, Ohio - Toledo tips off its 47th season of women's basketball on Sunday, Nov. 29 when the Midnight Blue & Gold hosts Oakland. The opening tip against the Horizon League member Golden Grizzlies is slated for 2:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and will be streamed on ESPN3. 

A week ago, the Toledo Athletic Department announced that due to health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance at home basketball games will be limited to families of the players and coaches for an indefinite period of time. General public and student attendance will not be permitted until further notice.
 
Toledo, which was picked to finish seventh in the Mid-American Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, welcomes back eight letterwinners from last year's squad that finished with a 14-17 overall record. The Rockets seemed on the verge of a memorable finish at the 2020 MAC Tournament after shocking No. 1 seed Central Michigan in the tourney quarterfinals. However, Toledo's 'Cinderella Run' came to an abrupt end when the tournament was canceled due to safety concerns about the Coronavirus pandemic.

Toledo's roster in 2020-21 will consist of two seniors, two juniors, five sophomores and five freshmen. Leading the way for the Rockets will be sophomore captains Quinesha Lockett, Mali Morgan-Elliott and Sophia Wiard. They also have senior Tatyana Davis, junior Lexi Lance and sophomores Soleil Barnes and Jaela Johnson returning to the fold.

The Rockets, who begin the year with six-consecutive home games, are 24-22 (.522) all-time in season openers, including a 7-5 (.583) mark under head coach Tricia Cullop.

Oakland, who opens its regular season at Michigan this evening, finished last year 11-19 overall and 6-12 in the Horizon League.The Golden Grizzlies return their top five scorers, led by 2019-20 third-team all-league selection Kahlaijah Dean (12.0 ppg) and Jalisha Terry (10.5 ppg). Jeff Tungate is set to begin his eighth season at the helm of the program.

The Rockets will compete against the Golden Grizzlies for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign and 11th time overall. Oakland leads the all-time series, 7-3, but the Rockets have won the last two matchups. The Golden Grizzlies also hold a 3-2 advantage in games played in Savage Arena.

Toledo is 75-45 (.612) all-time against Horizon League schools, including 24-10 (.706) under Coach Cullop. The Rockets have won 13 of the last 14 contests against the Horizon League, dating back to the 2014-15 season. A season ago, Toledo split two games vs. Horizon League opponents. The Rockets lost to Valparaiso, 61-54, at home (Nov. 27) and defeated Detroit Mercy, 82-64, on the road (Dec. 14).

Following Sunday's season opener, Toledo will entertain fellow Horizon League member Detroit Mercy on Saturday, Dec. 5. The opening tip against the Titans is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Savage Arena.