TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo wrapped up its regular season with an 86-79 setback against Northern Illinois in Saturday's "Senior Day" before 4,013 fans in Savage Arena. With the loss, the Rockets fall to 12-17 overall, 7-11 in the Mid-American Conference.

Toledo will now be the No. 9 seed in next week's MAC Tournament and travel to No. 8 seed Akron (15-14, 8-10 MAC) in the first round on Monday, March 9 at 7:00 p.m. in James A. Rhodes Arena. 

Senior Mariella Santucci was one of a season-tying best five Rockets in double figures, finishing with 20 points. Santucci shot 5-of-10 from the field, including 3-of-6 from three-point land, and 7-of-10 from the charity stripe to hit the 20-point mark for a seventh-time as a collegiate player.

Junior Nakiah Black and junior Tanaya Beacham added 16 points each, while junior Tatyana Davis and freshman Quinesha Lockett both contributed 10 points.

As a team, Toledo connected on a respectable 45.0 percent (27-of-60) from the floor, including 34.3 percent (12-of-35) from three-point range, and 59.1 percent (13-of-22) from the charity stripe. 

The Rockets also dished out a MAC-season high 22 assists, highlighted by a season-tying best nine from Santucci.

Courtney Woods paced the Huskies (11-18, 7-11 MAC) with a game- and season-high 36 points, followed by Chelby Koker with a season-tying best 17 points off the bench. 

A major factor in NIU picking up only its second road win against Toledo in the "Glass City" over the last 12 years came at the charity stripe, as the visitors shot 23-of-26 (88.5 percent), compared to 13-of-22 for Toledo.  

FIRST QUARTER
• The Rockets rode the hot hand of Beacham and Black to claim a 19-17 lead after the opening 10 minutes. The two team captains each tallied eight points in the period, combining to shoot 7-of-9 from the field, including two triples.

SECOND QUARTER
• NIU ripped off nine of the first 11 points in the second quarter to take a 26-21 advantage at the 6:35 mark. Four different Huskies registered points to give the visitors their first lead of the contest.  

• The Rockets battled back, though, receiving consecutive three-point field goals from Davis in the final minute to draw the teams even at 38-38 at the intermission.   

• Beacham paced Toledo with 10 points in the opening half, followed closely by Santucci with nine, while Woods led NIU with a game-high 13.

THIRD QUARTER
• The teams traded baskets to begin the second half, before NIU's Koker tallied five-consecutive points to put the visitors in front 49-45 at the 5:02 mark. The first-year player converted a second-chance layup and knocked down a trey to give the Huskies a lead they would not give up. 

• Toledo cut the margin in half on its ensuing possession, but Northern Illinois ended the quarter on an 11-3 burst to create a 60-50 lead going into the fourth period. Woods triggered the pivotal run with a deep three-point field goal and a pair of free throws to push the Huskies' advantage to double figures. 

FOURTH QUARTER
• Woods remained red-hot shooting the ball to start the final stanza, scoring seven-straight points to make the score 67-54 with 5:35 left in regulation. The All-MAC candidate buried a triple and a pair of close-range shots to stretch the Huskies' advantage to 13. 

• Toledo did not go down without a fight, though, benefitting from back-to-back three-point field goals from Black and Santucci to close the gap to 69-63 at the 3:22 mark.

• Unfortunately for the Rockets, they would not be able to get any closer than six points for the remainder of regulation.


Recap of Toledo's game against Northern Illinois.


Head Coach Tricia Cullop post-game.


Senior Mariella Santucci post-game.