YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Toledo women's basketball team showed off its defensive prowess on Saturday in a 48-35 win at Eastern Michigan.

The Rockets (9-3, 2-0 MAC) allowed their fewest points against a MAC opponent since holding Ohio to 33 points on Jan. 22, 2012. They also matched their lowest points allowed this season, also holding Loyola Maryland to 35 points on Dec. 10.

The last time Toledo scored fewer than 50 points and won was also against Eastern Michigan and came in a 48-38 win on March 3, 2013.

Defense was the story of Saturday's game as Toledo held EMU (4-8, 1-1 MAC) to just 24.0% shooting (12-for-50) and 2-of-16 from three-point range while forcing 19 turnovers. The Rockets flustered the Eagles all game long, blocking five shots and recording 12 steals on the day.

"Our offense struggled at times today with too many turnovers, but I'm proud of the way we played defensively," head coach Tricia Cullop said. "I thought our defense did a good job of stifling them and collecting rebounds. I thought we did a better job of taking care of the basketball in the second half as well.

Sophia Wiard and Hannah Noveroske both scored 12 points to tie for the team lead. Wiard also led the way with six assists, while Emmi Rinat contributed eight points and a team-high seven rebounds. Wiard and Noveroske both blocked two shots and Sammi Mikonowicz added a career-high four steals.

Eastern Michigan was led by Tayra Eke, who scored a game-high 17 points and added seven rebounds. Eke made 8-of-13 shots while her teammates combined for 4-of-37 (10.8%) from the field.

Toledo hosts Western Michigan on Wednesday, Jan. 10 in its first home MAC game of the year.

The WMU 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.

1^st Quarter

• The score was tied at 6-6 at the media timeout. EMU's Tayra Eke scored the first six points for the Eagles.
• Toledo scored five straight to go up 11-6 at the 2:40 mark, a stretch that was capped by an and-one from Sophia Wiard.
• Nan Garcia's three-pointer with 57 seconds to go in the quarter put the Rockets ahead 14-8, which would hold as the score heading into the break.

2^nd Quarter

• Hannah Noveroske's offensive rebound and ensuing putback gave Toledo an 18-11 lead at the 6:51 mark.
• The Rockets held the Eagles without a field goal for the final 8:04 of the quarter and held them to just three free throws.
• Toledo took a 21-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
• The second quarter was a low-scoring affair, as both teams combined for just 13 points. UT held Eastern Michigan to 1-of-9 shooting in the second frame.

3^rd Quarter

• Eastern Michigan pulled within four, 25-21, at the 6:14 mark.
• The Rockets responded with nine straight points to go up 38-24, with Wiard's three-pointer with 42 seconds remaining providing the finish touch.
• The third quarter ended with Toledo ahead 38-26. Both teams combined for 29 points, the highest-scoring quarter of the day.

4^th Quarter

• Toledo opened the fourth quarter with five straight points thanks to a three-pointer from Sammi Mikonowicz and a layup from Noveroske.
• Emmi Rinat's three-point play at the 6:40 mark made it 46-28.
• Eastern Michigan scored seven straight points and held Toledo scoreless for nearly six minutes of game time, but it proved to be too little too late.
• Noveroske scored the final basket of the game to bring about the final score of 48-35.