Toledo Opens Home Season with 86-77 Win over Wright State

Wednesday, November 13

Toledo, Ohio

7:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

2-1,0-0MAC

Wright State

2-2,0-0Horizon

Wright St.

Toledo

Sophomore Sonny Wilson tied his career high with 20 points in Toledo's 86-77 win over Wright State.

Photo by: Haley Boehm

Toledo Opens Home Season with 86-77 Win over Wright State

11/13/2024 10:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Stats (PDF)

Sophomore Sonny Wilson Ties Career High with 20 Points to Lead Five Rockets in Double Figures

TOLEDO, Ohio – Sophomore Sonny Wilson tied his career high with 20 points and five Rockets scored in double figures for a second straight game on Wednesday night to lift the Toledo men's basketball team to an 86-77 non-conference victory over Wright State (2-2) in Savage Arena.

"It was a heck of a win for us tonight against a program that I have a lot of respect for," said Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk after the Rockets' home opener. "We played with great energy defensively and that led us to having a great start at the offensive end. We had good balance again also by sharing the ball and taking good shots."

Wilson knocked down 7-of-9 shots to help Toledo (2-1) shoot 56.1% from the field. He also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, one shy of his career high, to key the Rockets' 37-33 advantage on the boards.

"Sonny is playing really well and he can get to the rim and finish," Kowalczyk said. "His winning attitude, leadership and what he stands for are the best parts about him."

Joining Wilson in double digits were fifth-year senior Isaiah Adams (18 pts.), junior Seth Hubbard (15 pts.), sophomore Javan Simmons (12 pts.) and sophomore Sam Lewis (10 pts.). Simmons also matched his career high with six assists.

Hubbard's offensive output helped the Rockets own a 24-13 advantage in bench points with sophomore Bryce Ford contributing seven points in eight minutes of action.

Brandon Noel led the Raiders with a game-high 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Toledo never trailed for a second-straight outing after jumping out to a 13-2 advantage. The Rockets held a 41-33 cushion before Wright State rallied to at 49-49 with 14:35 remaining. UT's lead never fell below five points in the final 10 minutes.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST HALF

The Rockets started off the game with a 13-2 run with Isaiah Adams and Sonny Wilson accounting for 11 points.
After Wright State cut the lead to seven, the Rockets went on a 6-0 run to take a 23-10 lead with 9:38 left in the first.
The teams exchanged buckets over the next few minutes with Toledo's lead fluctuating between eight and 11 points.
A layup by the Raiders' Keaton Norris at the end of the half cut the Rockets' lead to eight, 41-33.
Toledo shot a sizzling 60.0% (18-30) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes.
Adams led the way with 14 points on 6-of-8 from the field.

SECOND HALF

Wright State outscored the Rockets 10-3 coming out of the locker room, cutting the lead to 44-43.
A three-pointer by WSU's Norris evened the score with 14:35 left.
Seth Hubbard tallied seven points in a 9-2 run that increased Toledo's margin to 58-51.
Moments later, Javan Simmons' layup increased UT's advantage to 69-59 with 6:49 to play.
Wright State cut the lead to five but a three-pointer by Wilson pushed Toledo's lead back to 80-71.
Hubbard's two free throws 11 seconds left secured Toledo's nine-point victory.

POST-GAME NOTES

Toledo evened its all-time series vs. Wright State at 8-8 after winning its second straight game vs. the Raiders.
The Rockets have won their home opener in each of the last 14 years.
Toledo shot a season-high 46.2% from three-point range.
Freshman Jaylan Ouwinga blocked a season-high four shots, helping Toledo register a season-best nine rejections. The Rockets' nine blocks were their most since blocking nine vs. Ohio (2/8/22)
Sophomore Javan Simmons tied his previous career best of six assists, registered last year vs. Akron (Feb. 20).
Sophomore Sonny Wilson matched his career high of 20 points accomplished last year at Buffalo (March 2).
Sophomore Sam Lewis tallied a career-high five rebounds and four assists in addition to scoring in double digits for a third-straight game.
Sophomore Bryce Ford made a career-high four free throws en route to scoring a season-high seven points.

UP NEXT

Toledo returns to the road on Saturday, Nov. 16 for a matchup at Detroit Mercy (2-1). Tip-off time is set for 4:00 p.m. in Calihan Hall with streaming on ESPN+.