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.