KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Toledo remained unbeaten in Mid-American Conference play and extended its winning streak to five games with a 70-59 triumph at Western Michigan on Saturday afternoon. The victory was the Rockets' eighth straight over the Broncos and fourth in a row in University Arena.

"We played really well defensively and with a lot of energy, but we weren't making shots we typically make," Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "We did a great job of getting some separation at the end of the first half, and that was really big to help us pick up a road win."

Toledo (8-3, 3-0 MAC) overcame its off-shooting day by limiting the Broncos to an 18.5 percent showing (5-of-27) from behind the three-point arc and committing just nine turnovers. The Rockets shot 38.5 percent from the field and were 8-of-31 (25.8 percent) from three-point range.

Freshman Ryan Rollins paced Toledo's attack with a season-tying best 20 points. He was joined in double figures by junior JT Shumate (16 pts.), senior Spencer Littleson (11 pts.) and senior Marreon Jackson (10 pts.).

Shumate nearly registered a double-double by grabbing a team-high nine boards to help the Rockets finish with a 40-37 rebounding advantage.

Sophomore B. Artis White led Western Michigan (2-6, 1-2 MAC) with 17 points.

The Rockets return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 5 with a trip to Kent State (3-2, 0-1 MAC). Tip-off time in the M.A.C. Center is set for 2:00 p.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST HALF

• Four different Rockets scored in the first six minutes to give Toledo an early 8-6 advantage.
• Marreon Jackson and Spencer Littleson buried back-to-back treys to answer an 8-0 Bronco spurt and evened the contest at 14-14 at the 10:33 mark.
• Toledo began to assert itself with 11 unanswered points, capped off by a three-point play from Ryan Rollins for a 32-24 cushion at 3:33 before the half.
• A pair of free throws from Rollins and Jackson to close out the half gave the Rockets a 39-27 lead at the break.

SECOND HALF

• Toledo maintained in control throughout the second half and never let its lead dip below eight points.
• Mattia Acunzo's jumper put the Rockets in front 47-36 with 12:21 to play after the Broncos had trimmed their deficit to nine.
• Back-to-back baskets from B Artis White brought WMU within 50-42 with 10:41 left, but JT Shumate hit two free throws and Littleson drilled a triple to put Toledo back on top 55-42 a minute later.
• WMU made one last comeback bid when it cut the Rockets' lead to 65-57 with 1:39 remaining, but Toledo closed it out by hitting five of six free throws.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Toledo has held four of its last five opponents under 60 points.
• Ryan Rollins' previous-best scoring effort was 20 points at Xavier.
• JT Shumate started his first game as a Rocket today.
• Marreon Jackson missed his first free throw of the season to end his school-record streak for consecutive free throws at 41.
• Jackson extended his streak of scoring in double figures to 32 straight games.