Rockets’ Rally Falls Short at EMU, 69-59

Sunday, February 21

Ypsilanti, Mich.

2:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

9-11,5-11MAC

Eastern Michigan

10-6,7-4MAC

Toledo

Eastern Mich.

Sophia Wiard had her second career double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds vs. EMU on Sunday.

Photo by: Max Minor

2/21/2021 4:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

YPSILANTI, Mich. – Sophomore Sophia Wiard scored 16 points and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds but it wasn't enough for the Toledo Rockets in a 69-59 loss at Eastern Michigan on Sunday.

        Sophomores Quinesha Lockett and Mali Morgan-Elliott added 13 points apiece for Toledo, which shot 32.8 percent from the floor and made just 4-of-21 from long range.

        The Rockets (9-11, 5-11 MAC) held a 12-7 lead after one quarter of play and were only down 31-30 at halftime but were playing catch-up most the second half. Toledo cut the lead to 60-56 with just over two minutes to play but missed its final five shots from the floor while Eastern Michigan (10-6, 7-4 MAC) made 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

        "We fought hard today but free throws hurt us," said Head Coach Tricia Cullop. "If we make a few more free throws then we don't have to foul down the stretch and it's a different game." Toledo made 15-of-24 free throws for the game, missing six in the second half. EMU made 14-of-17 from the line.

First Quarter

EMU scored first but the Rockets answered with a 9-0 run to take a 9-3 and force the Eagles to call timeout with 4:55 left
The Eagles chipped the lead to two but Sophia Wiard hit a three-pointer at the horn to give Toledo a 12-7 lead after one quarter.

Second Quarter

Toledo built its lead to 24-14 with 5:30 left following a pair of Quinesha Lockett jumpers.
EMU closed out the quarter with an 11-1 run to take a 31-30 lead into the locker room.
The Eagles got back into the game on the strength of seven three-pointers in the quarter, four by Jenna Annecchiarico.
Wiard led Toledo with eight first-half points on 3-of-4 shooting from the floor.

Third Quarter

The Eagles opened the quarter with a 9-2 run to take a 40-32 lead. Wiard made a pair of free throws to trim the lead to 40-34 at the media timeout with 4:46 left.
EMU had a steal and a layup by Ce'Nara Skanes at the end of the quarter to up the Eagles' lead to 49-40.

Fourth Quarter