Rockets Soar to 98-86 Victory Over Charlotte

Monday, November 22

Nassau, Bahamas

12:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

3-1,0-0MAC

Charlotte

-31,00 CUSA

Charlotte

Toledo

Junior RayJ Dennis scored a career-high 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds vs. Charlotte

11/22/2021 4:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Stats (PDF)

NASSAU, Bahamas – Junior Setric Millner Jr. poured in a career-high 27 points to lead Toledo to an exciting 98-86 victory over Charlotte on Monday afternoon in its opening game of this week's Baha Mar Nassau Championship. Sophomore Ryan Rollins contributed a season-high 22 points, while junior RayJ Dennis tallied a career-high 21 points and team-high nine rebounds.

"I thought today's game was played at an unbelievably high level," Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "It was two very good teams playing well and making a lot of tough shots. I'm proud of how hard we played."

Toledo put the game away down the stretch with an 11-2 spurt after the 49ers had cut the Rockets' lead to 81-80 with 4:45 remaining. Shumate opened the game-deciding burst with two free throws, and Millner's driving layup increased the margin to five. After Charlotte hit two free throws, Shumate and Millner both hit two triples for a nine-point cushion.

Dennis' performance on the boards helped the Rockets enjoy a 35-25 advantage on the glass and a 14-6 edge in second-chance points. Junior JT Shumate also nearly registered a double-double with 17 points and eight rebounds.

Toledo was red-hot from the field throughout the high-scoring contest, finishing with a 58.9 FG%, a 46.7 three-point FG% (7-of-15) and an 80.6 FT% (25-of-31). Charlotte posted a 51.6 shooting mark, a 44.4 three-point FG% (12-of-27) and 62.5 FT% (10-of-16).

Toledo will meet Tulane in the tournament semifinals on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST HALF

The first half featured the only eight lead changes of the contest.
JT Shumate's dunk gave the Rockets an early 6-2 advantage before an 8-0 spurt put Charlotte up 18-11 just over five minutes into the game.
The 49ers held that lead until Ryan Rollins' triple knotted the score at 23-23 at the 11:54 mark.
Charlotte didn't let Toledo gain the lead though and assumed its largest advantage, 41-33, 6:35 before halftime.
The Rockets took a 42-41 lead three minutes later with a nine-point burst capped off by two Rollins' free throws.
Toledo ended the half with an 8-2 spurt to take a 52-47 lead to the locker room.
Millner led the Rockets in the first half with 18 points, with Rollins also in double digits with 13 points.

SECOND HALF

Toledo assumed its first double-digit lead, 64-53, on JT Shumate's putback four minutes after the break.
The Rockets remained comfortably ahead until Charlotte reduced its deficit to 73-71 with 8:43 to play.
RayJ Dennis answered for Toledo with a three-pointer and layup for a 78-73 lead a minute later.
The 49ers didn't relent and climbed within a point, 81-80, at the 4:45 mark.
Toledo responded with an 11-2 spurt to secure the victory.
Dennis led the Rockets in the second half with 15 points, while Shumate grabbed a team-high seven boards and scored 11 points in the final 20 minutes.