TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo mounted a furious comeback in the second half against Central Michigan, but ultimately lost by a score of 83-74.
 
The Rockets (8-6, 4-6 MAC) trailed by as many as 21 points in the first half due in large part to the Chippewas' outstanding shooting. CMU (9-5, 7-3 MAC) shot 72.4 percent from the field in the first two quarters, fueling a 48-30 halftime lead. But Toledo came roaring back in the second half, even taking a one-point lead early in the fourth quarter. However the Chippewas were able to pull away and hand the Rockets a nine-point defeat.
 
Toledo was led offensively by sophomore Quinesha Lockett, who poured in 23 points on 7-for-14 shooting, her seventh game with at least 20 points this season. Sophomore Sophia Wiard added 14 points and six assists to help the cause, and classmates Mali Morgan-Elliott and Soleil Barnes tallied eight points apiece.
 
Central Michigan's Molly Davis led all comers with 27 points and eight rebounds. Micaela Kelly (17 points), Jahari Smith (16), and Kyra Bussell (14) all reached double figures in scoring for CMU.
 
First Quarter

• CMU grabbed control early on thanks to an 11-for-16 shooting effort in the first quarter. Jahari Smith was 4-for-5 from the field in the first quarter.
• The Rockets trailed by just one, 6-5, early in the game, but a 16-0 Central Michigan scoring run increased the UT deficit to 17.

 
Second Quarter

• The Chippewas shot even better in the second quarter, making 10-of-13 from the field. They shot a robust 21-for-29 (72.4 percent) in the first half.
• Toledo improved its offensive output in the second quarter, pouring in 22 points and going 5-for-5 from the charity stripe. Freshman Khera Goss and Lockett both tallied seven points in the second stanza and accounted for the first 10 Rocket points in the second quarter.

 
Third Quarter

• Toledo flipped the script to start the second half, exploding out to a 16-4 run that trimmed the CMU lead to single digits, 52-46. Wiard capped the scoring surge with an impressive four-point play that whipped the UT bench into a frenzy.
• The Rockets ended the quarter just as impressively, using a 13-2 spurt to pull within two, 61-59. UT outscored Central Michigan 29-13 in the third quarter.
• Toledo shot 75 percent from the field (9-for-12) and made six of its eight three pointers to help turn the game from a blowout into a one-possession contest.
• Wiard was lights out in the third period, making all three of her shots from behind the arc and making her lone free throw attempt.

 
Fourth Quarter

• Lockett's trey 13 seconds into the fourth quarter gave Toledo its first lead of the night.
• The Chippewas hit the gas after that shot though, sprinting off to a 12-4 run to take a 75-66 advantage.
• After shooting just 42 percent in the previous quarter, CMU ended its night by shooting 63 percent from the field in the final 10 minutes to seal the victory.

 
 Up Next

• Toledo will travel to arch-rival Bowling Green (12-3, 8-2 MAC) on Saturday for a noon contest at the Stroh Center. The game will be available on ESPN+.

Highlights from Toledo's game against Central Michigan.


Head Coach Tricia Cullop post-game.


Sophomore Quinesha Lockett post-game.