TOLEDO, Ohio – A 20-0 run to end the first half made all the difference in Toledo's 74-56 victory over Northern Illinois on Wednesday night in Mid-American Conference women's basketball action.

The 18-point win was the 10^th straight victory for the Rockets, their longest winning streak since 2012-13. They improved to 24-4 overall and 18-1 in MAC play, tying the league record for most conference wins in a season (1983-84 Central Michigan and 1997-98 Kent State)

The Rockets and Huskies were separated by just one point, 29-28, with 4:37 to play in the first half when UT completely took over the game with 20 straight points. Toledo's slim advantage turned into a 21-point lead heading into halftime, and from then on the outcome was never really in doubt.

"I told our players not to mess around with Northern Illinois," head coach Tricia Cullop said. "Not only are they talented, but they really have the weapons to put teams away. They're not a team to toy around with. I was happy to see us come out with some fire, hit some shots, and make some stops that allowed us to have that run and not let them back in the game."

Three Rockets reached double figures in scoring on Wednesday: freshman Jessica Cook (14), junior Quinesha Lockett (14), and junior Sophia Wiard (10). Cook and Lockett were both 6-of-10 from the floor and grabbed eight and five rebounds, respectively. Wiard also contributed a game-high seven assists and five boards.

Sophomore Sammi Mikonowicz nearly registered her fifth double-double of the season, tallying nine points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Nan Garcia added eight points off the bench.

Following the game, Toledo celebrated its 2021-22 MAC Regular Season Championship by cutting down the nets.

"It's more fitting to be celebrate here," Cullop said. "We have such great fan support, and to be able to celebrate with them just means more. I'm glad our players had a chance to cut down the nets and experience what that feels like."

Toledo outrebounded the top rebounding team in the MAC, 36-29, and outshot the Huskies as well. UT connected on 48.4 percent of its shots (31-for-64) while NIU shot 45.5 percent (25-for-55) on the night.

Northern Illinois was led by A'Jah Davis, who had a productive night with 30 points and 10 rebounds.

Toledo's regular season comes to a close on Saturday at home against Western Michigan.

Saturday's game will also be UT's annual "Rockets for the Cure" game. Toledo is offering FREE admission to all Breast Cancer Survivors and those living with Metastatic Breast Cancer. Fans can also purchase pink Rockets for the Cure t-shirts for $12, with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen and Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center. T-shirt supplies are limited and will be available for pickup at Fan Services on the main concourse the day of the game. To claim your free ticket, call 419-530-GOLD (4653), stop by the Rocket Ticket Office in Savage Arena or visit utrockets.com/rfc for more information.

The Rockets will be wearing pink jerseys against the Broncos, and those jerseys will be available to purchase via online auction following the game. All proceeds from the live online auction will benefit Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio and the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center. The online auction is currently live and includes the special pink jersey the Rocket players will be wearing during the game and a variety of other items. 

1^st Quarter

• Toledo jumped out to a 16-5 lead to begin the game, with Cook scoring six out of the first 16 points.
• NIU's Davis hit a jumper at the 1:22 mark to cap 10-0 run that cut Toledo's lead to 16-15.
• Wiard and Lockett both hit shots to help build the Rockets' cushion to 21-17 by the end of the first quarter.

2^nd Quarter

• The Huskies fought back in the second quarter, cutting the Rockets' lead to 29-28 with 4:37 to go in the first half.
• Northern Illinois' Janae Poisson's pullup jumper put her team within one, but it would be the final basket of the first half for NIU.
• The Rockets launched an electric 20-0 run in the final 4:32 of the second quarter to take a commanding 49-28 lead into halftime.
• With the lead at six points, 34-28, Garcia and sophomore Khera Goss drilled back-to-back-to-back three-pointers to quickly push the lead to 15 points, 43-28.
• Mikonowicz scored twice in the final minute to push Toledo's lead into the 20's.
• The Rockets shot a staggering 61.8 percent in the first half, making 21-of-34 shots.

3^rd Quarter

• Cook opened the scoring in the second half to make it 51-28 and cap Toledo's scoring run at 22-0, its longest run of the season.
• Fittingly, NIU's Davis broke her team's scoring drought with a bucket inside at the 7:26 mark of the third quarter.
• The Rockets led by a game-high 24 points, 62-38, at the end of the third frame after cook knocked down a pair of free throws in the final seconds.

4^th Quarter

• The Huskies scored the first five points of the quarter to make it 62-43 with 7:31 to play.
• Senior Jayda Jansen drilled a three-pointer with 5:35 left in the game to build Toledo's lead back up to 24 points, 72-48.
• Sophomore Yaniah Curry's second basket of the game capped the scoring for the Rockets and provided the finishing touch on the team's 74-56 victory.

Head Coach Tricia Cullop post-game.