Saturday, December 6
Rochester, Mich.
3:00 p.m.
University of Toledo
5-4,0-0MAC
97
at
98
Oakland
5-5,1-0Horizon
1
2
F
Toledo
48
49
97
Oakland
45
53
98
Team Stats
UT
Oak
FG%
.532
.557
3FG%
.190
.333
FT%
.786
.700
RB
44
28
TO
12
5
STL
3
11
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
15
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
Freshman Leroy Blyden Jr. scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half today at Oakland
Toledo Drops Thriller at Oakland, 98-97
12/6/2025 6:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Freshman Leroy Blyden Jr.'s 20 points leads five Rockets in double figures
ROCHESTER, Mich. – Freshman Leroy Blyden Jr. led five Rockets in double figures with 20 points, but it wasn't enough in the Toledo men's basketball team's 98-97 defeat at Oakland (5-5) on Saturday afternoon in the OU Credit Union O'Rena. The contest was a back-and-forth affair that featured 20 lead changes and nine ties.
Ziare Wells hit a runner in the lane with 11 seconds left to give the Golden Grizzlies a 98-97 lead. Blyden had a chance to put the Rockets back in front, but his three-pointer from the corner rimmed out with five seconds remaining.
Joining Blyden in double digits were senior Kyler Vanderjagt (16 pts.), junior Sonny Wilson (16 pts.), senior Sean Craig (15 pts.) and sophomore Jaylan Ouwinga (14 pts.).
Craig also grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season, while Wilson dished out a season-high six assists.
The Rockets (5-4) dominated the glass by a 43-28 margin and grabbed 16 offensive rebounds.
Wells came off the bench to lead Oakland with 21 points.
QUOTING HEAD COACH TOD KOWALCZYK:
"We had our chances at the end, and it was unfortunate to not come away with a win. It was a high-level game between two teams that played extremely well. We got some great contributions from our bench, and if we hadn't missed some good looks in the first half we could have built a bigger lead. Leroy missed his shot at the end, but I want him to take that shot anytime."
By the Numbers
Top Performers
Toledo will take a break this week for final exams before returning to action on Saturday, Dec. 13 for a matchup at Robert Morris in Moon Township, Pa.
Ziare Wells hit a runner in the lane with 11 seconds left to give the Golden Grizzlies a 98-97 lead. Blyden had a chance to put the Rockets back in front, but his three-pointer from the corner rimmed out with five seconds remaining.
Joining Blyden in double digits were senior Kyler Vanderjagt (16 pts.), junior Sonny Wilson (16 pts.), senior Sean Craig (15 pts.) and sophomore Jaylan Ouwinga (14 pts.).
Craig also grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season, while Wilson dished out a season-high six assists.
The Rockets (5-4) dominated the glass by a 43-28 margin and grabbed 16 offensive rebounds.
Wells came off the bench to lead Oakland with 21 points.
QUOTING HEAD COACH TOD KOWALCZYK:
"We had our chances at the end, and it was unfortunate to not come away with a win. It was a high-level game between two teams that played extremely well. We got some great contributions from our bench, and if we hadn't missed some good looks in the first half we could have built a bigger lead. Leroy missed his shot at the end, but I want him to take that shot anytime."
By the Numbers
- Field Goals: Toledo 41-76 (53.9%), Oakland 39-70 (55.7%)
- Three-Point: Toledo 4-20 (20.0%), Oakland 6-18 (33.3%)
- Free Throws: Toledo 11-14 (78.6%), Oakland 14-20 (70.0%)
- Rebounds: Toledo 43, Oakland 28
- Assists/Turnovers: Toledo 14/12, Oakland 20
- Leroy Blyden Jr. – 20 pts., 5 reb.
- Sonny Wilson – 16 pts., 6 asst., 4 reb.
- Kyler Vanderjagt – 16 pts.
- Sean Craig – 15 pts., 11 reb.
- Jaylan Ouwinga – 14 pts. (7-of-9 FG)
Toledo will take a break this week for final exams before returning to action on Saturday, Dec. 13 for a matchup at Robert Morris in Moon Township, Pa.
Toledo Men's Basketball vs Central State Post Game Press Conference
Monday, December 01
Toledo Men's Basketball - Congrats Coach Tod Kowalczyk on 300 Wins at Toledo
Monday, November 24
Toledo Men's Basketball vs Detroit Mercy Press Conference
Sunday, November 16
Toledo Men's Basketball vs Marshall Post Game Press Conference
Saturday, November 08
