TOLEDO, Ohio – All five starters scored in double figures and the Toledo men's basketball team never trailed on Tuesday night en route to its 10^th-straight victory, an 89-71 triumph over Miami (8-18, 2-11 MAC) in Savage Arena. The Rockets' winning streak ties a school record for most consecutive Mid-American Conference victories in a single season set previously in the 1999-2000 campaign.

Tonight's win kept Toledo (20-6, 11-2 MAC) in a first-place tie in the MAC standings with Kent State (21-5, 11-2 MAC) and gave the Rockets a 20-win season for the fifth time in the last six years. In addition, UT is one of nine schools nationally to win 20 or more games in each of the last three seasons.

"It was a good win for us tonight," said Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk after the Rockets officially clinched a spot in this year's MAC Tournament. "Our guys played hard and with maturity, but the game had no real pace due to the amount of fouls that were called. We also took good care of the basketball with 12 assists and five turnovers."

Senior Setric Millner Jr. paced UT offensively with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting. He was joined in double figures by junior RayJ Dennis (17 pts.), senior JT Shumate (14 pts.), sophomore Dante Maddox Jr. (12 pts.) and sophomore Ra'Heim Moss (11 pts.).

Seniors Mekhi Lairy and Anderson Mirambeaux led Miami with 12 points apiece.

Both teams shot 50.0% from the field, but the Rockets utilized a 61.5 shooting mark in the first half to take control on their way to a 47-31 halftime advantage.

Toledo also made a season-high 30 free throws in 36 attempts for an 83.3 FT%, the fourth-straight game it has shot 80% or better from the charity stripe.

The Rockets held a 34-28 rebounding advantage as well, marking the fourth straight game UT has outrebounded its opponent.

Toledo returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 18 when it faces arch-rival Bowling Green in the second installment of the "Battle of I-75" this season. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. in the Stroh Center.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Toledo's 10-game winning streak is tied for second nationally with Oral Roberts. Eastern Washington is first with a 15-game unbeaten streak.
• The Rockets are 43-9 in league play since the start of the 2020-21 season.
• Toledo evened its all-time series vs. Miami at 68-68 after posting its 19^th straight win over the RedHawks.
• The Rockets committed five turnovers, marking the sixth time in last seven contests UT has committed eight or fewer miscues.
• Toledo is now 14-0 this season when it outrebounds its opponent.
• RayJ Dennis has scored in double digits in 40 straight games dating back to last season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST HALF

• JT Shumate scored the game's first 10 points to give the Rockets an early 10-2 lead.
• Ryan Mabrey's jumper trimmed Toledo's lead to 10-7 at the 15:00 mark.
• The Rockets used an 11-2 spurt to extend their lead to 21-9 with 11:44 left in the half.
• AJ Edu's layup extended Toledo's lead to 29-16 just over three minutes later.
• The RedHawks rallied to within seven points, 36-29, with 4:20 remaining.
• RayJ Dennis scored Toledo's final eight points of the half to give the Rockets a 47-31 halftime lead.
• Toledo shot 61.5% in the first half and committed just one turnover.
• Dennis led Toledo with 13 points, while Shumate added 12.

SECOND HALF

• The RedHawks made 5-of-9 shots to open the half, cutting Toledo's lead to 11 points, 54-43, with 14:47 to play.
• Andre Lorentsson buried a three-pointer at the 11:00 mark to give the Rockets a 65-49 advantage.
• EJ Farmer's jumper increased Toledo's cushion to 20 points, 71-51, with 9:43 left.
• Miami trimmed the Rockets' lead to 15 points, 76-61, with 5:26 to play, but the RedHawks could come no closer in the final minutes.