TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo men's basketball team looks to extend its winning streak to three games on Saturday, Nov. 16 when it travels to the Motor City to face Horizon League foe Detroit Mercy (2-1). The contest will tip off at 4:00 p.m. inside Calihan Hall with streaming on ESPN+.
       
The Rockets (2-1) opened their home season on Wednesday night with an 86-77 victory over Wright State. It was the second straight wire-to-wire win for UT. Sonny Wilson tied his career high with 20 points and also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds to lead the way.

Joining Wilson in double digits were Isaiah Adams (18 pts.), Seth Hubbard (15 pts.), Javan Simmons (12 pts.), and Sam Lewis (10 pts.) to give Toledo five players in double figures for a second consecutive game. Simmons also tied his career high with six assists, while Jaylan Ouwinga blocked four shots in the victory.

Toledo shot 56.1% from the field, marking the second straight game it has topped made more than half of its shots. The Rockets also held a 37-33 advantage on the boards.

Wilson leads the Rockets with 17.7 ppg, with Simmons (15.7), Adams (14.7) and Lewis (13.0) also scoring in double figures. Adams (6.3), Simmons (6.0) and Wilson (6.0) are each grabbing 6.0 rpg or more, with Simmons leading UT at 3.7 apg.

Head Coach Mark Montgomery is in his first season at the helm of the Titans. He previously served as head coach at Northern Illinois for 10 years (2011-21). Detroit has been idle since posting an 84-78 (OT) victory at home over Niagara last Sunday. Mak Manciel leads the Titans with 19.3 ppg, including 30 in UDM's win over the Purple Eagles.

Toledo was extremely efficient offensively in last year's 94-60 home win over Detroit, shooting 50.8% from the field, 60.0% (12-of-20) from three-point range and 80.0% (20-of-25) at the free-throw line. UT also dished out 18 assists and committed just nine turnovers.

GAME INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
Tip-Off: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Detroit, Mich.
Arena: Savage Arena (7,014).
Streaming: ESPN+. Jeremy Otto will provide play-by-play with Dan Hasty serving as analyst.
Radio: Rocket Radio Network. WSPD (1370 AM) in Toledo. Mark Beier will provide play-by-play for broadcast with Jay Lehman serving as analyst.
 
SERIES
Toledo leads 38-25. Toledo has won its last six matchups vs. the Titans, including home wins in 2016 (73-65), 2018 (101-57), 2021 (81-73) and 2023 (94-60). Toledo's last loss to Detroit was a 75-72 road setback in 2015.

A LOOK AT THE ROCKETS
     Toledo captured its 12th Mid-American Conference title in program history last season to become the second MAC program ever to capture four straight outright MAC titles. (Cincinnati did it previously from the 1947-48 - 1950-51 seasons.) The Rockets have registered SIX 20-win seasons in the last SEVEN years as well as EIGHT 20-win campaigns in the last 11 seasons. The Rockets tied a school record with 27 victories in the 2022-23 campaign, matching the total by the 2013-14 squad.
     Twelve of Toledo's 16 MAC victories in the 2022-23 season were by seven points or more. In 2021-22, UT won 15 of its 17 league triumphs by eight points or more. In the 2020-21 season, 13 of Toledo's 15 MAC victories were by nine points or more.
 
POST TOUCHES
•  Sophomore Javan Simmons was a unanimous selection for 2023-24 MAC Freshman of the Year and is a member of the 2024-25 Preseason All-MAC First Team. He ranks second on the team with 16.7 ppg and 6.0 rpg. 
•  Freshman Sonny Wilson earned a spot on the MAC All-Freshman Team last year and leads UT with 17.7 ppg to go along with 6.0 rpg, 3.3 apg and a team-high 63.3 FG%.
•  Senior transfer Isaiah Adams started 25 of 26 games last year for Buffalo and was the Bulls' second-leading scorer with 12.8 ppg. He is averaging 14.7 ppg this season, including a season-high 18 points vs. Wright State on Wednesday.
•  Junior transfer Seth Hubbard led Western Michigan last year with 14.1 ppg, 1.1 spg, and 79.8 FT%. He is the Rockets' top scorer off the bench with 10.3 ppg.
•  Sophomore Sam Lewis scored a career-high 17 points at Marshall (Nov. 9) and is averaging 13.0 ppg.
  
NOTES FROM THE ROCKETS' 86-77 WIN OVER WRIGHT STATE
• 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. He has made all 16 of his free throws as a Rocket.
 
ROAD WARRIORS
     The Rockets were 8-5 in road games last season and have posted a 35-20 (.636) win-loss mark in road games since the start of the 2020-21 campaign. Toledo possesses a 58-40 (.592) win-loss mark on enemy courts since the start of the 2017-18 season.

ON THE HORIZON
     Toledo will head to the Sunshine State to compete in the Boardwalk Battle on Nov. 21-23. The Rockets will open play in the three-day tournament vs. Stetson on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and face either East Carolina or Jacksonville State on Friday. UT will then face UIC, James Madison, La Salle or UC San Diego on Saturday.