AKRON, Ohio – The Toledo women's basketball team collected its first Mid-American Conference victory of the season, taking down Akron, 74-54, in James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Rockets (9-3, 1-1 MAC) built its first-half lead to double digits by halftime and by 21 at the end of the third quarter. The Rockets' defense held the Zips (7-7, 1-1 MAC) to just 35 points across the final three quarters.
 
"I'm very proud of our response, especially on the defensive end today," said Head Coach Ginny Boggess. "I thought we executed our game plan very well today and we shared the basketball at a high level. Sammi and Faith had big first halves and everybody contributed around them which was really fun to watch. Being successful starts on defense for us."
 
Toledo was led by graduate student Sammi Mikonowicz with 20 points on 7-of-11 from the field. Freshman Faith Fedd-Robinson added 17 points on 6-of-10 from the floor, with 16 points coming in the first half. Graduate student Hannah Noveroske added 12 points on the afternoon. Graduate student Khera Goss and sophomore Kendall Carruthers each supplied three assists to lead Toledo.
 
Fedd-Robinson, Goss and Mikonowicz each claimed five rebounds to lead Toledo on the glass, while Carruthers grabbed four. Toledo also had six steals defensively, one each from six different players.
 
The Rockets controlled the edge in all three shooting statistics, leading 45.9%-42.0% in field goals, 38.1%-20.0% from three-point range and 83.3%-53.3% from the foul line.
 
First Quarter – Toledo 21, Akron 19

• Toledo opened up an early 10-6 lead with a pair of early threes from Sammi Mikonowicz.
• Both teams traded buckets before Akron pulled ahead 19-17 at the 2:37 mark.
• Four straight points by Faith Fedd-Robinson put Toledo ahead at the end of the quarter.
• Fedd-Robinson had nine points, while Mikonowicz scored eight.

Second Quarter – Toledo 43, Akron 31

• The Rockets extended the lead to 28-22 on another three by Mikonowicz. The two sides then traded baskets, with the Rockets holding a 34-28 lead at the media timeout.
• Toledo then scored seven straight out of the timeout, grabbing a 41-28 advantage with two minutes left in the half.
• Fedd-Robinson added seven more points in the period to finish with 16 in the half.

Third Quarter – Toledo 58, Akron 37

• A Destiny Robinson triple extended the lead to UT's biggest of the day, 48-32, at the 8:05 mark.
• After the Zips scored a pair of baskets to pull within 12, Toledo went on a 7-0 run over 1:01 to take a 55-36 lead at the 4:17 mark.
• The Rockets out-scored Akron 15-6 in the quarter.

Fourth Quarter – Toledo 74, Akron 54

• The Rockets pushed the lead to as big as 27, coming at the 2:25 mark of the period.
• Evalyse Cole knocked down her first career three in the late stages.
• Hannah Noveroske scored four points and collected two rebounds in the quarter.
• UT out-rebounded UA 12-6 in the final 10 minutes.

Game Notes

• Toledo secured its largest margin of victory against a Division I opponent this season.
• The Rockets shot above 80% from the free-throw line for the second-straight game.
• UT held a 34-33 edge in rebounds, its sixth consecutive game with a positive rebound margin.
• Mikonowicz and Khera Goss each played in their 139th game in a Rocket uniform, moving into a tie for third in program history in games played.
• Mikonowicz notched her second 20-point game of the season and fifth of her career.
• Toledo has now won 10 straight games against Akron.

UP NEXT
The Rockets return to Savage Arena to face Kent State on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Tip off will be at 7:00 on ESPN+.