Toledo to Host Youngstown State on Wednesday Night

Wednesday, November 19

Toledo, Ohio

7:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

Youngstown State

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Junior Austin Parks is averaging 11.3 ppg and ranks second in the MAC with a 70.3 FG%.

Photo by: Dejay Mcnear

Toledo to Host Youngstown State on Wednesday Night

11/17/2025 5:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Rockets looking to avenge last year's 93-87 defeat to the Penguins

TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo men's basketball team will look to build on its two victories last week when it hosts Youngstown State (2-2) on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Tip-off time in Savage Arena is set for 7:00 p.m. with streaming on ESPN+.

Five Rockets are scoring in double figures, led by junior Sonny Wilson at 16.5 ppg. Senior Sean Craig ranks second on the team with 15.0 ppg and a team-high 7.8 rpg, while freshman Leroy Blyden Jr. is third with 14.0 ppg and a MAC-best 6.0 apg. Senior Kyler Vanderjagt and junior Austin Parks also are in double digits with 13.3 and 11.3 ppg, respectively.

Blyden tallied a game-high 20 points and seven assists in the Rockets' 90-83 victory over Detroit Mercy on Saturday. Wilson added 18 points, six rebounds and five assists. Craig and Parks were equally impressive with each contributing 17 points. Parks was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and has made 13-of-14 shots over his last two contests.

The Rockets held a slim 41-37 lead over the Titans at halftime and used a 6-0 spurt to take a 75-68 advantage with 5:04 to play. UT's lead didn't dip below five points the rest of the way.

Youngstown State was predicted to finish third in the Horizon League's Coaches Preseason Poll. The Penguins have played three of their first four games on the road, posting a 90-81 win at Grand Canyon and losing at Pitt (74-59) and St. Bonaventure (84-80).

Preseason Horizon League First Team honoree Cris Carroll is leading YSU with 14.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 2.0 spg.

GAME INFORMATION
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025.
Tip-Off: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Toledo, Ohio.
Arena: Savage Arena (7,014).
Streaming: ESPN+. Mason Lowry will provide play-by-play with Rhett Boyd 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.

DETAILING WEDNESDAY'S MATCHUP
• Toledo holds an 11-3 lead in its all-time series vs. Youngstown State with the first matchup occurring in 1942. The Rockets are 7-0 vs. the Penguins at home and 5-0 in Savage Arena. Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk holds a 3-2 mark vs. YSU at the Rocket helm.
• Toledo's second-half rally came up short in last year's 93-87 setback at Youngstown State. Sam Lewis tallied 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Rockets, with Sonny Wilson tallying 17 points, six boards and a team-best four assists.
• UT trailed 44-39 at halftime in last year's meeting and fell behind by as many as 12 points early in the second half. The Rockets rallied to take a 62-60 lead though with a 13-0 run with 10 minutes remaining

ROCKETS IN THE MAC RANKINGS
• Toledo ranks third with a 48.9 FG% and fourth with a 37.9 three-point FG% and 17.3 apg.
• Freshman Leroy Blyden Jr. leads the MAC with 6.0 apg and tied for fourth with 2.0 spg.
• Junior Austin Parks ranks second in the MAC with a 70.4 FG% (19-of-27).
• Senior Sean Craig is fifth with a 62.5 3PTFG% (5-of-8) and tied for sixth with 7.8 rpg.
• Junior Sonny Wilson is tied for eighth with 16.5 ppg.

POSTGAME NOTES FROM SATURDAY'S WIN OVER DETROIT MERCY
• Toledo earned its eighth-straight victory vs. Detroit Mercy with its last defeat coming in 2015.
• The Rockets have out-rebounded their opponent in each of their last two games after losing the battle of the boards in their first two contests.
• UT has shot 70% or better from the free-throw line in all four games this season.
• Toledo's 21 free throws and 30 free-throw attempts were its most in a game this season.
• Sean Craig made his first start as a Rocket and his 21 points were the most by a Rocket this season.
• Sonny Wilson's 18-point outing extended his streak of scoring in double figures to 21 games dating back to last season.
• Austin Parks scored a career-high 17 points and is 13-of-14 from the field in his last two contests.
• Leroy Blyden Jr.'s 20 points marked the second 20-point outing of the season by a Rocket.

ON THE HORIZON
Toledo will head to Fort Myers, Fla. next week to compete in the Geico Coconut Hoops event. The Rockets will face Troy on Monday, Nov. 24 at 11:00 a.m. before meeting either Belmont or Saint Francis (Pa.) on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 11:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.