TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo women's basketball team is moving on to the second round of the WNIT after Friday's 61-51 win over Houston Baptist in first-round action at Savage Arena.

The victory advances the Rockets (27-5) into a rematch with MAC opponent Kent State (19-11) in their second-round contest in Savage Arena on Monday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. Toledo won the only meeting between the two schools this year, 69-60 at Kent on Dec. 29.

In Friday's victory over Houston Baptist, Toledo used a dominant first quarter to take a sizable early lead and didn't look back. The Huskies (16-11) managed to pull within five points in the second half, but the Rockets used an 11-2 run in the fourth quarter to pull away for good.

"We were happy to get this win," head coach Tricia Cullop said. "Any team that is still playing right now is very worthy of being in the postseason. We knew this was going to be a tough game. They're long and their guards are quick, and they also play a different style of defense than what we faced all year. It was an interesting game for us to play and we're glad we came away with a victory."

Four players scored in double figures for Toledo. Freshman Jessica Cook led the way with 13 points, and three others scored 12 points: Nan Garcia and Khera Goss and junior Quinesha Lockett. Sophomore Sammi Mikonowicz cleaned up on the boards, grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds.

Toledo won the battle on the glass, outrebounding Houston Baptist 49-34 and accruing a 10-2 edge on the offensive glass. Thirteen of UT's points were second-chance points, while the Huskies were blanked in that category.

Tickets for Monday's game are on sale now, with fans having the option to purchase their tickets online at utrockets.com/WNITtix, over the phone by calling 419-530-GOLD (4653), or by visiting the Rocket Ticket Office at Savage Arena. The Rocket Ticket Office will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

As a benefit to Women's Basketball season ticket members, they will have first priority on their seat locations. Toledo season ticket members have until Saturday, March 19 at 5:00 p.m. to reserve their seats. Those seats can be purchased through their online ticket account at utrockets.com/STM or through the Rocket Ticket Office.

1^st Quarter

• Toledo opened the game with a 9-2 run to put the Huskies on their heels.
• HBU cut the deficit to five, 12-7, at the 5:40 mark, but the Rockets quickly rebuilt a double-digit lead.
• A 10-1 run that was bookended by Garcia three-pointers put the score at 24-9 with 1:08 to go in the quarter.
• The score settled at 26-11 at the end of the first frame.

2^nd Quarter

• Houston Baptist scored the first eight points of the second quarter to make it 26-19.
• A three-point play from Cook brought the Rockets' lead back into double figures, 29-19, with 7:23 to go in the first half.
• The Huskies controlled much of the second quarter, sprinting off on an 11-3 run to trim Toledo's lead to just two points, 32-30.
• The Rockets answered with five straight points to make it 37-30 heading into halftime. Goss took a steal coast to coast for a layup and junior Sophia Wiard knocked down a three-pointer to bring UT's lead back to seven heading into the locker room.

3^rd Quarter

• Neither team shot particularly well in the third quarter; Toledo and Houston Baptist combined for shoot 9-of-29 from the floor and 1-of-6 from beyond the arc.
• A layup from Goss near the midway point of the quarter pushed the Rockets' lead back into double digits, 45-34.
• The Huskies ended the frame on an 8-2 run, pulling within six points heading into the fourth quarter.

4^th Quarter

• The Rockets snuffed out any chance of an HBU comeback with an 11-2 scoring run to open the fourth quarter.
• Garcia scored the final four points for Toledo to cap a productive night.
• Houston Baptist scored six points in the final minute, but it was too little too late.

Head Coach Tricia Cullop post-game.


Sophomore Nan Garcia post-game.


Sophomore Khera Goss post-game.