TOLEDO, Ohio – Sophomore Quinesha Lockett poured in a career-high 24 points to propel Toledo to a 77-74 victory against Atlantic 10 Conference member Duquesne on Friday in Savage Arena. With the hard-fought win, the Midnight Blue & Gold improves to 4-1 overall. 

Lockett surpassed the 20-point plateau for the third time as a collegiate, helping the Rockets successfully bounce back from Sunday's first loss of the season. One of four players in double figures, the 2020-21 team captain was at her best in the pivotal fourth period, tallying nine crucial points in the waning moments to snap the Dukes' two-game win streak. Lockett converted a clutch layup with the score tied 69-69 at the 3:04 mark to give the home squad a lead they would not relinquish. The second-year Rocket would later knock down two free throws with 17.1 seconds left in regulation. 

Freshman Sammi Mikonowicz added 14 points and 11 rebounds to post her second double-double this year, sophomore Sophia Wiard had 14 points and a game-tying high five assists and sophomore Mali Morgan-Elliott contributed 10 points and a career-high 13 boards to record her first-collegiate double-double.

The home team also benefited from seven points by senior Tatyana Davis and a season-high six from freshman Halle Idowu. With tonight's effort, Toledo improved to 136-29 (.824) when scoring at least 70 points under 13th-year head coach Tricia Cullop.

As a team, the Rockets shot a season-high 47.6 percent (30-of-63) from the field to run their record to 4-0 all-time against Duquesne at home. They also posted a commanding 43-29 edge on the glass, sparked by the efforts of Morgan-Elliott and Mikonowicz. The last time Toledo had two players with a double-double was Kayla McIntyre (17 pts., 12 reb.) and Mariella Santucci (13 pts., 10 reb.) against Ohio on Jan. 13, 2019.

Amanda Kalin paced the Dukes with a game-high 32 points, while Laia Sole had 12.

FIRST QUARTER
• Toledo jumped out to a 23-16 lead on the strength of seven points from Lockett and six by Mikonowicz. The Rockets' duo combined for three treys, helping them build a seven-point cushion after the opening 10 minutes.

• The Rockets were also opportunistic in the opening stanza, tallying 11 points off seven Duquesne miscues to assist them in establishing a three-possession lead.

SECOND QUARTER
• Toledo quickly extended its advantage to double figures, 37-24, behind four points each from Davis and Lockett, forcing Duquesne to burn a timeout at the 6:13 mark. The Rockets' backcourt duo were able to get to the basket, as each converted a pair of layups to prompt the stoppage in play.

• The Dukes responded well following the timeout, outscoring Toledo 16-4 for the remainder of the half to trim the Rockets' lead to 41-40. Kalin triggered the late rally with three triples and nine points to make it a one-point difference at intermission.

• Lockett paced Toledo with 15 points in the opening 20 minutes, while Kalin led the Dukes with a game-high 21. 

THIRD QUARTER
• The Rockets started the second half strong, benefiting from eight points by Mikonowicz and four each from Idowu and Morgan-Elliott to assume a 61-59 lead. The Rossford, Ohio native tallied four layups in the period to help Toledo take a two-point cushion into the final 10 minutes.

FOURTH QUARTER
• Toledo ripped off eight-consecutive points to begin the fourth stanza, extending their lead to 69-59 at the 8:02 mark. Lockett was a one-person wrecking crew during this stretch, registering six points to push Toledo's advantage back to double figures. 

• Duquesne fought back once again and held Toledo scoreless for almost five minutes, knotting the score at 69-69 with 3:26 left in regulation.

• Toledo desperately needed a basket to regain momentum, and Lockett delivered the clutch layup through traffic to put the home team in front with a little over three minutes remaining.

• Both teams misfired on their ensuing two possessions before Duquesne's Precious Johnson split a pair of free throws to make it a one-point game, 71-70, with 1:37 showing on the clock.

• After a couple more empty trips for each squad, Wiard delivered a huge three-point field goal following an offensive rebound by freshman Khera Goss with 23.1 seconds left.

• The Dukes made one final push in the waning seconds and had the ball down three points, but the Rockets' defense smothered their perimeter players and did not allow them to get off a shot before the final horn sounded.

UP NEXT
• The Rockets will close out non-conference against Summit League member North Dakota on Monday, Dec. 21. The opening tip against the Fighting Hawks is slated for 1:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and will be streamed on ESPN3.


Highlights from Toledo win over Duquesne.


Head Coach Tricia Cullop post-game.


Sophomore Quinesha Lockett post-game.