Tuesday, December 30
Toledo, Ohio
6:30 p.m.
University of Toledo
7-6,1-0MAC
84
vs
79
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Western Michigan
6-8,0-2MAC
1
2
F
Western Mich.
41
38
79
Toledo
32
52
84
Team Stats
WMU
UT
FG%
.441
.438
3FG%
.360
.160
FT%
.714
.667
RB
43
41
TO
15
10
STL
4
7
Game Leaders
Pts
36
FGM
12
3FGM
3
FTM
9
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
14
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
8
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
Freshman Leroy Blyden Jr. scored a season-high 36 points in Toledo's 84-79 win over Western Michigan.
Photo by: Jacob Peters
Leroy Blyden Jr.'s 36 Points Propel Toledo Past WMU in MAC Opener, 84–79
12/30/2025 10:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Rockets rally from 16 points down to post 15th straight win over Broncos
TOLEDO, Ohio – Freshman Leroy Blyden Jr. exploded for a season-high 36 points to help Toledo open Mid-American Conference play in thrilling fashion with an 84-79 victory over Western Michigan on Tuesday night. The Rockets stormed back from 16 points down in the second half in Savage Arena to improve to 7–6 (1–0 MAC), while the Broncos fell to 6–8 (0–2 MAC).
Blyden's 36 points were the most by a freshman since Terry Reynolds scored 36 in a 95-90 (2OT) win over Auburn on Nov. 25, 2000. The Detroit, Mich. native tallied 27 points in the second half and put the Rockets in front to stay, 78-77, on a layup with 44 seconds left. He then knocked down four straight free throws to help UT secure the win.
The Broncos held a 61-48 advantage with 12:23 remaining when Blyden's three-pointer ignited a 13-3 spurt to cut the Rockets' deficit to 64-61. Blyden's two free throws at the 5:26 mark put UT in front, 70-68, but the Broncos responded and held a three-point lead before Blyden hit his third triple of the night to even the score at 75-75.
QUOTING HEAD COACH TOD KOWALCZYK:
"It was obviously a great comeback for us. We've had several games this year when we couldn't finish and tonight could have been the same result for us. It was a special night for Leroy, and our guard play was excellent with Sonny Wilson not committing any turnovers and Mynor Strong coming off the bench and being a plus-17. Our poor foul shooting in the first half was uncharacteristic for us, but we made them at the end of the game when it counted."
TOP PERFORMERS
Toledo will hit the road for a pair of league games at Central Michigan (4-10, 0-2 MAC) on Saturday, Jan. 3 and Northern Illinois (5-7, 1-0 MAC) on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The Rockets will then return home to host Miami (14-0, 2-0 MAC) on Friday, Jan. 9 and Ohio (7-7, 1-1 MAC) on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Blyden's 36 points were the most by a freshman since Terry Reynolds scored 36 in a 95-90 (2OT) win over Auburn on Nov. 25, 2000. The Detroit, Mich. native tallied 27 points in the second half and put the Rockets in front to stay, 78-77, on a layup with 44 seconds left. He then knocked down four straight free throws to help UT secure the win.
The Broncos held a 61-48 advantage with 12:23 remaining when Blyden's three-pointer ignited a 13-3 spurt to cut the Rockets' deficit to 64-61. Blyden's two free throws at the 5:26 mark put UT in front, 70-68, but the Broncos responded and held a three-point lead before Blyden hit his third triple of the night to even the score at 75-75.
QUOTING HEAD COACH TOD KOWALCZYK:
"It was obviously a great comeback for us. We've had several games this year when we couldn't finish and tonight could have been the same result for us. It was a special night for Leroy, and our guard play was excellent with Sonny Wilson not committing any turnovers and Mynor Strong coming off the bench and being a plus-17. Our poor foul shooting in the first half was uncharacteristic for us, but we made them at the end of the game when it counted."
TOP PERFORMERS
- Leroy Blyden Jr.: 36 pts., 5 reb., 12-23 FG, 9-11 FT
- Kyler Vanderjagt: 15 pts., 4 reb.
- Sonny Wilson: 14 pts., 9 reb., 4 asst.
- Sean Craig: 14 pts., 11 reb.
- Field-Goal %: Toledo 43.8%, WMU 44.1%
- Three-Point FG%: Toledo 4-25 (16.0%), WMU 9-25 (36.0%)
- Free Throws: Toledo 24-36 (66.7%), WMU 10-14 (71.4%)
- Rebounds: WMU 43, Toledo 41
- Assists/Turnovers: Toledo 10/10, WMU 14/15
Toledo will hit the road for a pair of league games at Central Michigan (4-10, 0-2 MAC) on Saturday, Jan. 3 and Northern Illinois (5-7, 1-0 MAC) on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The Rockets will then return home to host Miami (14-0, 2-0 MAC) on Friday, Jan. 9 and Ohio (7-7, 1-1 MAC) on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
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