Earlier today, the Toledo Rockets outlasted the Central Michigan Chippewas, 76-58.
The Rockets entered the game as the second seed in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and the Chippewas were seventh.
Central Michigan started the game red hot, hitting each of their first three shots to take an early 6-4 lead three minutes in.
From there, there was a lot of back-and-forth scoring between the two squads, but freshman Ayanna-Sarai Darrington and one late in the quarter proved to be the difference after one, with the score 16-15 CMU.
Early in the second quarter, the Chippewas extended their lead with a 12-5 run, prompting coach Ginny Boggess to call a timeout as her team trailed by eight.
In the latter minutes of the half, graduate student Khera Goss nailed a triple to bring Toledo back within five, but the lower seed kept the Rockets from getting any closer as it was 36-31 heading into the intermission.
UT finished the half 12 of 37 from the floor to CMU’s 13 of 25.
In the second half, trends on both sides stayed the same. Senior Jess Lawson continued to lead the charge, extending her point total to 12 and making it 40-32.
From that point, Toledo went on a major run, exacerbated by Central Michigan turnovers and missed shots, to give themselves their first lead of the game at 45-44.
Graduate student Sammi Mikonowicz entered double-digit scoring during the run, scoring five to bring her total to 10 points.
The narrative completely flipped during the third quarter, as it became Toledo which could not be missed. “It was a nice little shift in momentum,” Mikonowicz said post-game. “Just knocking down those open shots and taking those open shots. Coach was getting on me to shoot the ball, I just finally had to shoot it.”
UT finished the quarter nine of 13 from the floor to CMU’s five of 19 and led 56-48.
Toledo picked up right where they left off, scoring the first eight points for the fourth. Goss splashed in a triple to make it 64-48 with seven minutes to play. “That’s the intensity we have to have all game,” graduate student Nan Garcia said.
The Rockets kept their foot on the gas pedal throughout the closing minutes of the game, outscoring the Chippewas 42-22 in the second half, to secure the victory.
Following the kerfuffle, coach Boggess told the press, “They (Central Michigan) are tough, they are physical and they are disciplined. We were able to flow with pace and space and we shot really well from three when we were connected and confident on offense.”
Toledo will play Buffalo Friday afternoon for a trip to the MAC Championship Game and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
