Toledo Falls at Division Rival Eastern Michigan, 64-46

Saturday, February 29

Ypsilanti, Mich.

2:30 P.M.

University of Toledo

6-1011-16; MAC

Eastern Michigan

9-714-13; MAC

Toledo

Eastern Michigan

Junior Tanaya Beacham had 19 points and 10 rebounds at Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

Photo by: Toledo Athletics

Toledo Falls at Division Rival Eastern Michigan, 64-46

2/29/2020 5:41:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Toledo at Eastern Michigan (PDF)

YPSILANTI, Mich. – Toledo dropped a 64-46 decision at Eastern Michigan on Saturday in the Convocation Center. With the loss, the Rockets fall to 11-16 overall, 6-10 in the Mid-American Conference.

The Eagles utilized a pivotal 14-2 run over the course of the final two periods to sweep the regular-season series against Toledo for the first time since 2015-16.

Junior Tanaya Beacham paced the Rockets with a game-tying high 19 points and 10 rebounds to post her third-career double-double. Beacham converted 8-of-15 from the field and 3-of-5 from the free throw line in a career-best 37 minutes to score in double figures for a fifth-straight game.

Senior Mariella Santucci was Toledo's next high scorer with eight points and a contest-tying best five assists, followed by senior Sara Rokkanen with six points.

As a team, the Rockets connected on 29.8 percent (17-of-57) from the floor, including 16.7 percent (3-of-18) from three-point range, and 60.0 percent (9-of-15) from the charity stripe.

"We had some good looks, but we just didn't make enough shots," Toledo Head Coach Tricia Cullop said. "Today was a very physical game, and I thought it took a toll on some of our players. I can't fault our effort though, as we played hard for all 40 minutes."

Corrione Cardwell led Eastern Michigan (14-13, 9-7 MAC) with 19 points off the bench, while Areanna Combs and Courtnie Lewis had 15 and 12, respectively.

The Eagles also posted a 44-35 edge on the glass and had three players with at least eight boards, led by Autumn Hudson with 10.

FIRST QUARTER
• The Eagles jumped out to a 13-2 lead, forcing the Rockets to burn an early timeout at the 4:43 mark. Lewis and Combs sparked the home team's quick start, combining for nine of the 13 points.

• Toledo responded well following the stoppage in play, outscoring EMU 12-4 for the remainder of the quarter to trim its deficit to 17-14. Santucci triggered the late run with a long triple and a pair of throws to make it a one-possession affair following the opening 10 minutes.

SECOND QUARTER
• Toledo got as close as two points in the second period, but a late six points from Cardwell helped EMU take a 32-26 lead into the intermission.

• Beacham had a strong quarter for the Rockets, tallying seven points on the strength of three field goals, including a traditional three-point play, to keep the visitors within striking distance.

• Beacham paced Toledo with a game-high nine points in the first half, followed by Rokkanen with six. The Helsinki, Finland native delivered a pair of treys off the bench to provide a huge spark for the Midnight Blue & Gold.

• Cardwell led the Eagles with eight points, followed closely by Hudson and Lewis with seven each. This trio played in a big role in the home team posting a 14-0 edge in points off turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.

THIRD QUARTER
• Toledo rattled off the first six points after the break to knot the score at 32-32 at the 8:09 mark. Four different Rockets tallied points to prompt EMU to call its second timeout.

• The timeout did not stop the Rockets' momentum, though, as they received two free throws from Beacham and a fast-break layup by freshman Quinesha Lockett to give them their first lead, 36-34, with 5:28 left in the quarter.

• Unfortunately for Toledo, Eastern Michigan scored nine of the final 11 points to retake the advantage, 43-38, heading into the final stanza. Lewis played a big part in the late run with back-to-back baskets to make it a five-point game after 30 minutes.

FOURTH QUARTER
• Eastern Michigan continued its momentum at the outset of the final period, tallying the first five points to stretch its margin to double figures, 48-38, with 7:59 left in regulation.

• With time becoming a factor, the Rockets needed stops, so they extended their defense. Unfortunately for them, they only got as close as eight points.

• Eastern Michigan put the game away at the free throw line, making 11 charity tosses in the quarter.

UP NEXT
• The Rockets will host 2019-20 MAC West Division Champion Central Michigan (22-5, 15-1 MAC) on Wednesday, March 4. The MAC West Division showdown is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and will be shown on ESPN+.

• Toledo and Central Michigan will meet for the second time this season and 85th overall. The Rockets suffered a 73-66 road setback against the Chippewas on Jan. 25 in McGuirk Arena.

• Toledo leads the all-time series, 49-35, and holds a 28-12 advantage in games played in Savage Arena, including an 8-3 (.727) mark under Coach Cullop. A year ago, Toledo secured a 62-59 home triumph against CMU before 3,603 fans in Savage Arena (Jan. 23).