ROCKETS BREAK LOSING STREAK WITH WIN OVER BALL STATE

February 28, 2010 - Toledo ended a 19 game losing streak with a 45-42 win over Ball State last night. Although not a thing of beauty, the victory allowed UT to get a MAC win and some positive energy as they head to Northern Illinois on Thursday.

"Although we made some mistakes, I was very happy that our guys were able to make the right plays that we needed to win," head coach Gene Cross said. "I was very pleased and happy for them."

The Rockets came out with a sense of purpose early in the game as freshman center Jordan Dressler made a short jumper and Jake Barnett (photo below) followed with a 3-pointer. The lead was 26-10 with 4:14 remaining in the half as walk-on Jay Shunnar made a three point shot.

A jump shot by Justin Anyijong with just six seconds on the clock gave the Rockets a 30-15 lead at the half.

Ball State (15-13,8-7) looked very sluggish in the first twenty minutes and their 16% field goal percentage was absolutely dreadful. Their leading scorer, Jarrod Jones, had only four points at the break.

Toledo made 12 of 25 shots in the half including 4 of 8 from behind the arc. UT also has a very respectable four turnovers.

The Rockets decided to go into their slow-down offense in the second half in order to protect the double-digit lead. Although not the greatest basketball to watch, it did allow Toledo to maintain their lead, and a free throw by Dressler with 6:24 remaining gave the Rockets a 39-25 advantage.

That's when the Cardinals decided to press, and their point guard, Randy Davis, began to drive to the basket.

The lead was six at the 3:52 mark when consecutive baskets by Malcolm Griffin and Anyijong gave UT some breathing room and a 43-33 lead.

But the Cardinals' press was beginning to take a toll as Toledo committed turnover after turnover and Ball State inched closer. The ten point lead was down to three with 47 seconds remaining, and the Rockets looking for some way to keep control of the ball. A turnover by Jake Barnett led to a shot by Davis, and although he missed the jumper he grabbed the rebound.

With sixteen seconds on the clock, Davis drove to the basket, but a huge block by Anyijong swatted the ball away.

Toledo was still up by three when walk-on guard Kevin Rohner stepped to the free throw line with a chance to ice the game. But Rohner missed and Jarrod Jones grabbed the rebound.

Ball State had one last scoring attempt, but a long three pointer by Myron Green was no good as time expired.

Toledo shot only 27% from the field in the second half and committed way too many turnovers, but this was an important win for the young team. With one game left in the regular season, UT needed something positive to happen. Gene Cross said. "The one thing I told the team was that we bent but we didn't break. We were poised enough to make it through, and I thought Justin Anyijong came up with a great block at the end of the game for us."

UT (4-26,1-14) was led in scoring and rebounding by Anyijong who had 13 and 7. Shunnar had a big game for Toledo as he scored eight points, all in critical situations, and added six rebounds.