TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo took a huge step toward securing a home game in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament by claiming a 76-67 victory vs. Central Michigan in Savage Arena on Wednesday. With the impressive triumph over the MAC West Division leading Chippewas, the Rockets improve to 12-16 overall, 7-10 in the league. 

Toledo is now tied for eighth place with Akron (14-14, 7-10 MAC) in the overall MAC standings with only one regular-season game remaining. The Rockets hold the tiebreaker against the Zips, as they registered a 65-61 home victory on Jan. 15. The top eight teams, regardless of division, will host a first-round MAC Tournament game on Monday, March 9. If the Rockets beat Northern Illinois (10-18, 6-11 MAC) on Saturday at home, they will clinch a first-round home game.   

Senior Mariella Santucci and freshman Quinesha Lockett led a season-high five Rockets in double figures with 18 points each against CMU. Lockett added a season- and team-high eight rebounds, while Santucci dished out a contest-best six assists. 

Toledo also received 13 points from junior Nakiah Black, 11 by junior Tanaya Beacham and 10 from junior Tatyana Davis to run its record to 9-3 vs. Central Michigan at home under Head Coach Tricia Cullop.

As a team, the Rockets connected on a respectable 46.9 percent (30-of-64) from the floor and a sizzling 81.3 percent (13-of-16) from the charity stripe to help them snap a six-game losing skid.

Toledo also did a tremendous job taking care of the basketball, tallying 13 helpers with a season-low nine turnovers. Their previous-best effort was 11 miscues vs. Pacific in the second game of the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas on Dec. 20. In addition they posted a 37-33 edge on the boards and held a 7-1 advantage in thefts.

Another big reason the Midnight Blue & Gold won tonight's game came from its dominant play around the basket, as the home team finished with a commanding 52-36 edge in points in the paint.   

Micaela Kelly paced CMU (22-6, 15-2 MAC) with a game-high 19 points, followed closely by Molly Davis with 17. 

FIRST QUARTER
• The Rockets utilized an 8-0 run midway through the first period to help them claim an early 18-16 lead. Beacham triggered the burst with three field goals to put the home team in front by two points. 

• The trio of Beacham, Lockett and Santucci accounted for all of the Rockets' points in the opening 10 minutes, highlighted by a game-high eight from Beacham.

SECOND QUARTER
• The teams traded baskets for the first five-plus minutes in the second quarter, before the Rockets closed the half with a 12-5 rally to create a 40-28 lead at the break. Four different Rockets tallied points over the final 4:06, including four each from freshman Mali Morgan-Elliott and Davis, to give the home team a 12-point cushion at the intermission.

• Lockett scored seven of her team-high 13 points in the second stanza to lead the way, while Beacham had 11.  

THIRD QUARTER
• The Rockets maintained a double-digit lead for the first five minutes after halftime, but the Chippewas ended the quarter on a 13-4 run to trim the margin to only three, 59-56, heading into the final period. Davis spearheaded the visitor's late rally with five points, while Kelly had four, to make it a one-possession game.  

FOURTH QUARTER
• CMU knotted the score on two occasions early in the quarter, but Santucci responded in convincing fashion by ripping off her team's next eight points to give them a 69-65 lead with 4:42 left in regulation. The 2019-20 team captain tallied three layups and converted two free throws to put the Rockets in front for good.

• Following the media timeout and Toledo up four points, the duo of Lockett and Davis put the game away with back-to-back layups. 

• The Chippewas would get no closer than six points for the remainder of the game.

UP NEXT
• The Rockets will wrap up their regular season against Northern Illinois on Saturday, March 7. The MAC West Division showdown is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Savage Arena and will be streamed on ESPN3.

• Prior to Saturday's home finale, Toledo will honor seniors Arianne Whitaker, Sara Rokkanen and Mariella Santucci, along with junior Nakiah Black. The Rockets will also recognize senior manager Jessica Paige as part of their pre-game festivities.

• The Rockets and Huskies will square off for the second time this year and 58th overall. Toledo claimed a 63-51 road victory against NIU on Jan. 11 in the Convocation Center.  

• The Rockets lead the all-time series, 36-21, and have won five of the last seven meetings against their division foe. Toledo also holds a 21-5 in games played in Lucas County.


Highlights from Toledo's win over Central Michigan.


Head Coach Tricia Cullop post-game.


Senior Mariella Santucci post-game.