Toledo takes over late in win at CMU

The Rockets staked at least a partial claim in the Mid-American Conference West Division title with their 77-68 victory Wednesday night at Central Michigan on Senior Night.

With the victory, UT (21-6, 11-3 MAC) can claim sole possession of the West Division title with a win in one of their final two regular season games. The Rockets close out the regular season at second-place Eastern Michigan (19-7, 9-5) on March 2. Bowling Green (22-6, 12-2) has the overall conference lead.

Senior forward Tanika Mays turned in a strong performance, finishing with a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds along with five assists in her second game back from a knee injury.

"It was good to have Tanika back at full strength," Toledo Head Coach Tricia Cullop said.

Junior forward Melissa Goodall came within one rebound of a double-double, finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Junior guard Jessica Williams had 12 points and two steals. Chipping in as well for Toledo were sophomore guards Clare Aubrey with nine points and Naama Shafir with eight points and seven assists.

"This was a gutsy win for us," Cullop said. "I thought we had a number of players step up. We needed it because CMU has quite a few talented players themselves and Rose Center is not an easy place to play. I have a lot of respect for the way our team performed tonight. We are getting back to playing UT basketball."

The win marks the third time in the last four years that UT has swept the season series with Central Michigan (11-15, 8-6 MAC).

The Rockets shot 55.1 percent (27 of 49) from the field, which is the best of any MAC school all season long. Mays, Williams and Aubry combined to shoot 11-of-16 from three-point range.

Central Michigan shot 41.8 percent (23 of 55) from the field and made 8-of-23 three-point attempts.

"I thought we did a good job making Central Michigan be patient on offense," Cullop said. "They are used to playing a high-paced game and putting a lot of points on the board."

Britini Houghton led four CMU players in double figures with a team-high 17 points and five rebounds. Shonda Long scored 16 points with four rebounds. Kaihla Szunko and Kendra Holman each scored 10 points. Szunko also had a game-high six steals as the Chippewas recorded 15 steals and scored 25 points off 25 turnovers by UT.

The game started out quickly for both teams as senior forward Lisa Johnson nailed a jumper at the 14:55 mark to put UT up 12-11. From there the Rockets went on an 8-0 run punctuated with a jumper by Goodall to put Toledo up 20-11 with 10:26 left in the first half.

Central Michigan went on a 14-5 run that ended in a three-pointer by Long. The shot tied the game at 25 with 3:21 left in the half.

Mays broke the tie at the 1:47 mark with a three. UT led 28-27 at the half after Central Michigan answered right back with two free throws by Houghton.

The second half began with a three-pointer from Williams, but CMU reeled off seven-straight points to pull ahead 34-31 with 17:06 left in the game.

Mays and Williams each sank a triple and freshman center Yolanda Richardson added a lay-up to help the Rockets take a 39-34 lead with 15:47 left to play.

Central Michigan fought back and came within one after Heidi Warczinsky knocked down a three with 11:06 remaining in the game.

The Chippewas' run continued as they took a 52-48 lead on a three-point play by Houghton with 7:23 left.

A lay-up by Goodall and a three by Mays put the Rockets up by two, but the lead would not last long as Houghton sank two free-throws to tie the game at 56 with 4:59 left in regulation.

The Rockets went on a 15-4 run over a 2:30 span to lead 77-63 with 56 seconds remaining.

The Rockets return to action Saturday, Feb. 27 at Savage Arena for "Senior Day" against Ball State at 4:30 p.m.