ATHENS, Ohio – Five Rockets scored in double figures to lift the Toledo men's basketball team to an 86-77 triumph at Ohio on national television in the Mid-American Conference opener for both squads.  The victory gave the three-time defending league champions their sixth-straight win in Athens and their 10^th in the last 11 meetings vs. the Bobcats.
 
"We had a great start tonight and played with great intensity," said Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk after the Rockets improved to 23-6 in MAC road games since the start of the 2020-21 season. "It was a gutty win that we battled hard to get. We received key contributions from a lot of different guys. This is a huge road win over one of the best programs in the MAC."
 
Juniors Dante Maddox Jr. and Ra'Heim Moss paced Toledo (7-6, 1-0 MAC) with a game-high 18 points each, while junior Tyler Cochran (16 pts., team-high seven reb.), freshman Sonny Wilson (13 pts.) and freshman Sam Lewis (11 pts.) also scored in double figures.
 
Sophomore Elmore James topped Ohio (6-7, 0-1 MAC) with 17 points and eight rebounds.
 
Toledo was efficient offensively, shooting 56.9% from the field and committing just nine turnovers. The Rockets also shot 38.5% (5-of-13) from three-point range after missing all four of its attempts behind the arc in the opening 20 minutes.
 
UT limited the Bobcats to a 45.2% shooting mark and forced 13 turnovers.

Toledo jumped out to a 13-0 lead and led for the entire second half. After the Rockets took a 47-34 lead less than three minutes after halftime, the closest Ohio came down the stretch was within five points with 12:12 to play.
 
Toledo is back in action on Friday, Jan. 5 when it hosts Miami in another national TV contest. The Rockets and RedHawks will tip off at 7:00 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network.

The Miami game is part of the Rockets' Winter Spectacular, during which fans can purchase discounted bleacher tickets for $8.00. Tickets are based on availability, with prices increasing to $9.00 on game day. To purchase tickets for the Winter Spectacular, 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/WinterSpectacular.

HOW IT HAPPENED
 
FIRST HALF

• Toledo surged to a 13-0 lead in the first four minutes forcing Ohio to call timeout.
• The Bobcats answered with a 10-0 spurt that Tyler Cochran ended with a jumper with 12:43 remaining in the half.
• Ohio took its first lead, 20-19, on Ajay Sheldon's three-pointer just over three minutes later.
• An 8-2 spurt to end the half keyed by a pair of Cochran baskets put the Rockets up 38-32 at intermission.
• Cochran led Toledo in the first half with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting to help UT shoot 56.9% as a team.

SECOND HALF

• Toledo started strong in the second half as well with a 9-2 burst that gave UT its largest lead of the night, 47-34, with 17:30 to play.
• Ohio rallied to within 58-53 with 12:12 remaining when Sam Lewis hit a three to put the Rockets back up by eight.
• Lewis buried another big triple after the Bobcats closed within eight, 67-59, at the eight-minute mark.
• Toledo's lead didn't dip below eight points in the final seven minutes.