DETROIT, Mich. – Sophomore Sonny Wilson returned to the Motor City and poured in a career-high 22 points to lead the Toledo men's basketball team to an 82-67 road win on Saturday afternoon over Detroit Mercy in Calihan Hall. Wilson tallied 15 of his points in the second half to help the Rockets (3-1) pull away down stretch for their third victory in a row.

"That was a game where he had to win any way possible," Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "We weren't at our best, but we found ways to make plays to win the game."

A Pontiac, Mich. native who attended Detroit Jesuit High School, Wilson also tied his career high with six assists, grabbed five rebounds, and hit 9-of-15 shots from the field to continue his red-hot shooting. He now is shooting 62.2% from the field in the Rockets' first four games.

"Sonny played a huge part in our win tonight," Kowalczyk said. "He's taken his game to another level this season and that's a credit to his work ethic and toughness."

Joining Wilson in double figures were sophomore Sam Lewis (17 pts., eight reb.) and fifth-year senior Isaiah Adams (10 pts., 4 asst, 3 stl.).

Toledo shot 44.6% from the field and committed a season-low eight turnovers. The Rockets limited the Titans to a 43.1 shooting mark and forced 16 turnovers. UT also held a decided advantage at the free-throw line, knocking down 18-of-24 shots compared to Detroit's 9-of-16 totals.

The Rockets held a 36-35 lead at halftime before taking control of the game midway through the second half. Toledo's lead didn't fall below eight points in the final eight minutes.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST HALF

• The lead changed hands six times before Andre Lorentsson's three-pointer put the Rockets ahead 17-12 with 12:27 remaining in the half.
• The Titans answered with a 7-0 spurt but Bryce Ford hit a triple and Sam Lewis connected on a jumper in the paint to put UT ahead 22-19 at the 9:32 mark.
• Toledo tried to pull away later in the half with a 7-1 spurt that capped off by a Sonny Wilson three-pointer for a 34-28 advantage with 2:52 remaining.
• Lewis' two free throws with three seconds left gave Toledo a 36-35 halftime lead.
• Lewis topped the Rockets' offensively in the opening 20 minutes with 10 points.

SECOND HALF

• Toledo expanded its lead to 53-47 with 11:41 remaining on a thunderous dunk from Isaiah Adams and basket from Javan Simmons.
• The Rockets took their first double digit lead with an 8-3 spurt culminated by a putback from Jaylan Ouwinga.
• Toledo's lead grew to as many as 20 points down the stretch before the Titans scored the game's final five points.
• Toledo outrebounded Detroit Mercy by a 23-13 margin in the second half with nine boards coming on the offensive glass.

POST-GAME NOTES

• Toledo now leads its all-time series vs. Detroit Mercy by a 39-25 margin and has won its last seven meetings against the Titans,
• Sonny Wilson's 22 points were two more than his previous career best that he tied in Wednesday's 86-77 win over Wright State.
• Sam Lewis led Toledo on the boards with a career-high eight rebounds.
• Lewis and Wilson are the only Rockets to score in double figures in every game this season.
• Isaiah Adams grabbed three steals for a second-straight game and has a team-high eight thefts.

UP NEXT
Toledo will travel to Daytona Beach, Fla. to compete in the Boardwalk Battle on Nov. 21-23. The Rockets will open the tournament vs. Stetson on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.