TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo women's basketball team responded to Wednesday's loss with a 76-63 victory over first-place Akron at Savage Arena in front of 4,689 fans on Saturday.

The Rockets (13-4, 4-2 MAC) were tied with the Zips (13-4, 4-2 MAC) at the end of the first quarter before outscoring their opponents 23-11 in the second period. That proved to provide enough breathing room as UT's lead never fell below six points for the remainder of the game.

The win was Toledo's sixth straight at home, pushing its 2022-23 home record to 8-1. The Rockets have now won 13 of their last 14 home MAC games.

"I'm really proud of how we responded today," head coach Tricia Cullop said. "We could have pouted and not shown up today after a very difficult loss on Wednesday (at Bowling Green), but we didn't. I think one of the big difference today was our bench; they were phenomenal. I thought our focus in the post was much-improved from Wednesday, and it was nice to only see eight turnovers. I'm happy to get this win and proud of our response to Wednesday's game."

Sophomore Jessica Cook turned in one of her best performances of the season, scoring a team-high 14 points while shooting a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor. Cook was one of five Rockets to reach double figures in scoring and was joined by junior Sammi Mikonowicz (11 points), senior Jayda Jansen (10 points), senior Quinesha Lockett (10 points), and junior Nan Garcia (10 points).

Senior Sophia Wiard was closed behind with eight points and junior Khera Goss contributed seven points and a career-high eight assists.

After committing a season-high 22 turnovers on Wednesday, Toledo tied a season-low with just eight turnovers vs. Akron. UT shot 45.6% (26-for-57) from the field with a season-high with 22 assists.

The Zips were led by Reagan Bass, who scored led all comers with 24 points and eight rebounds. Akron shot 37.7% (23-for-61) from the floor and 29.4% (5-for-17) from three-point range.

Toledo sported a different look on Saturday, wearing purple and white uniforms for its first-ever "Justice for Sierah" game. The purple jerseys worn on Saturday are being auctioned off, with all proceeds going towards the Justice for Sierah Foundation. The auction closes on Monday, Jan. 23, and fans can bid on jerseys at utrockets.com/Sierah.

The next home contest for Toledo will be this Wednesday, Jan. 25 vs. Miami. That game will be the Rockets' annual "Wine Night," which will take place in Fetterman Gym beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Rocket Athletic Ticket Office at the Sullivan Athletic Complex in Savage Arena, contact the Rocket Athletic Ticket Office at 419-530-GOLD (4653) or go online to UTRockets.com/tix.

• The Rockets opened the game with a 9-2 run capped by a jumper by Wiard at the 7:12 mark.
• Akron countered with an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 11-10 at the media timeout at 3:11.
• The period ended in a 16-16 deadlock after Akron's Dominique Camp drove to the hoop for a layup in the closing seconds.
• The Rockets made 7-of-8 free throws in the quarter and were led by Wiards' six points. 

• Cook scored six straight points as the Rockets pulled out to a 27-23 lead near the midway point of the second quarter. 
• Toledo pulled away down the stretch, ending the second quarter on a 12-2 run to take a 39-27 lead into halftime.
• Jansen doubled the Rockets' lead in the final minute, knocking down back-to-back threes to take a six-point advantage all the way up to 12 points in just 19 seconds.
• The Rockets held the Zips to 10-of-28 shooting (35.7%) and forced nine turnovers in the first half. 

• Akron cut the lead back down to single digits after scoring five of the first six points to begin the third quarter.
• The Zips scored eight straight points to make it a six-point game, 49-43, with 1:24 to go, but that's the closest they would get.
• Junior Lonasia Brewer's basket broke Toledo's scoring drought, and both she and Lockett scored in the final minute to push the lead back to 10 points, 55-45, heading into the fourth quarter.

• Cook continued to score at will inside, scoring the first six Toledo points to begin the open the fourth quarter.
• Akron's Faith Stinson drained a three-pointer at the 5:58 mark to bring her team within eight points, 62-54.
• After a nearly two-minute long scoreless drought for both teams, Garcia's and-one brought Toledo's lead up to 11, 65-54, with just 4:03 remaining in the game.
• The final three minutes saw both teams combine to make 14 free throws as the Rockets were able to hold on and defeat the Zips, 76-63.