 "Photo: Jason Mack / IC")
The Rockets snapped the school's longest losing streak at 19 games on Saturday night at Savage Arena as they defeated the Mid-American Conference West Division leader Ball State 45-42. With the loss, the Cardinals fell into a three-way tie for the top spot with Central Michigan (14-14, 8-7 MAC) and Eastern Michigan (16-13, 8-7 MAC). Toledo held Ball State to just 26 percent from the field (12 of 45) and eight percent from beyond the arc (1 of 12). This was the first time UT held an opponent to 42 points or below since February of 2001.
"I think our guys deserve all the credit for this one," Toledo Head Coach Gene Cross said. "We came in with a defensive game plan a scheme and they followed to it a tee. Offensively I thought we came out poised and played they way I knew they were capable of playing. One thing I told our guys was that we bent but we didn't break."
Freshman guard Malcolm Griffin, who scored eight points in the win, felt the Rockets (4-26, 1-14 MAC) had a good chance to end the historic skid before the game against Ball State (15-13, 8-7 MAC).
"We were real poised in shoot-around today and we were prepared all day, so I kind of figured we were going to get this victory," Griffin said. "I'm glad we got it."
Toledo held an 18-point lead a just over three minutes into the second half. However, the Rockets went scoreless for seven and half minutes and allowed Ball State to bring the game to three points with 47.2 seconds remaining after a three pointer from freshman Jauwon Scaife.
"We were up 18, but I knew it wouldn't be an 18-point blowout," Cross said. "You want to make sure your kids understand how they have to keep fighting and to sustain that effort to get a victory. I though our defensive effort and our defensive frame of mind were terrific."
The Rockets held off a late surge and kept the lead at three for the remainder of the contest in large part due to a tremendous block from junior forward Justin Anyijong on a lay-up attempt from BSU guard Randy Davis with just 16 seconds remaining.
"I think Justin Anyijong had a great block at the end of the game," Cross said. "That was a heck of a defensive play and you expect that and want that from your eldest statesman on your team."
Anyijong led the team with 13 points and seven rebounds while sophomore Jay Shunnar added eight points and six boards. Freshman Jake Barnett ended the game with six points, all of which came in the first half. Barnett also led the team with six turnovers, including three in the final 1:16.
"We depend on Jake, and so I drew up several scenarios to get him the ball and he turned it over," Cross said. "I think he gets so anxious and wants to do so well that he hurries things. He wants to make two plays ahead. I can guarantee you that he is going to text me at midnight and apologize for the turnovers. We're going to work with him on his decision making and his ball handling, but I would draw it up a million times that way again."
With 12:15 to play in the first half, Toledo led by five but broke the game open with a 9-2 run to take a commanding 20-8 advantage. The Rockets continued to capitalize on the missed opportunities from Ball State and rolled to a 30-15 lead at half.
The Cardinals shot a dismal 15.8 percent from the field (3 for 19) and missed all seven three-point shot attempts in the first half. Toledo was 12-for-25 (48 percent) and 4-of-8 from downtown at the break.
Ball State opened the second half much like the way they played the entire first half, committing back-to-back turnovers following a missed dunk and an air-ball. The Cardinals cut the lead to 39-33 following a jumper from Scaife but the young UT squad answered with back-to-back fast break buckets. Griffin traveled the length of the court and beat the defense to the rim for the easy lay-in. Just 27 seconds later following a Barnett steal, Griffin would find an open Anyijong under the basket for the easy two to stretch the lead back to 10 points with 3:25 remaining.
"That moment was huge for us," Cross said. "The way we took that punch and punched back was pivotal for this game and hopefully for our future."
Davis led Ball State with 14 points and eight rebounds and reigning MAC freshman of the year Jarrod Jones led the team with 11 rebounds while scoring 13 points. Scaife ended the night with 11 points and shot just 1 of 7 from beyond the arc. The freshman torched Toledo with 20 points and connected on 6-of-8 three-pointers on Jan. 20.
"[The win] means to me that everything that we've been going through has been for something," Cross said. "I can go to our guys at practice and say, ‘You know what you are exactly what I've been telling you. You're a good basketball team.' We had to figure out a way to get out of our own way. To beat the first place team it says ‘You know what guys? We can beat anybody and guess what you did it, you beat the first place team in the league.'"
The win came at a crucial time for UT as they prepare for their final game before the MAC tournament at Northern Illinois (9-19, 5-10 MAC) on Thursday, March 4 at 8 p.m.