The University of Toledo
03/21/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/22/2024 12:29
Rockets Rally to Slay Vikings, 76-68, in First Round of WBIT
Rockets Rally to Slay Vikings, 76-68, in First Round of WBIT
Sophia Wiard scored 15 of her team-high 20 points in the second half to rally the Toledo women's basketball team to a 76-68 victory over Cleveland State in first-round action of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) at Savage Arena on Thursday.
The No. 2 seed Rockets will next host St. John's on Sunday in a 2 p.m. game. (ESPN+) The Red Storm defeated No. 3 seed Florida, 79-60, in Gainesville on Thursday in its first-round contest.
Sophia Wiard scored 15 of her team-high 20 points in the second half to rally the Toledo women's basketball team to a 76-68 victory over Cleveland State in first-round action of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament at Savage Arena on Thursday.
Toledo (27-5) trailed by as many as five points in the first half and by two, 28-26, at the half before outscoring CSU 50-40 in the second half to claim the victory. The Rockets had a hard time solving CSU's zone in the first half, shooting just 10-of-28 (35.7%) in the first 20 minutes.
It was a different story in the second half, however, as Toledo made 17-of-31 (54.8%) from the field and 12-of-14 (85.7%) from the free-throw line in the final two quarters. Wiard made 8-of-8 free throws in the second half to help clinch the win.
"Their defense was one of the stingiest zones I've ever played against," said Head Coach Tricia Cullop. "I thought as the game went on our players got more comfortable with what was open. We also understood the pace we had to play to find open shots."
Wiard was joined by Khera Goss (15 points), Quinesha Lockett (12 points) and Hannah Noveroske (12 points) in the double figure scoring column for Toledo. Cleveland State (29-6) was led by Mickayla Perdue, a former Rocket, with 31 points.
Tickets are available now for Sunday's game with St. John's and can be ordered online by going to utrockets.com/WBBTix, calling or texting 419-530-GOLD (4653), or by stopping by the Rocket Ticket Office located in the Sullivan Athletic Complex at Savage Arena during normal business hours. Tickets are $23 for reserved seating, $18 for GA, $13 for youth. UToledo faculty/staff tickets are half price.
Women's Basketball Season Ticket Members will have first priority to reserve their seat locations. Those seats can be purchased through their online ticket account or through the Rocket Ticket Office. Season ticket members have until 5 p.m. Friday to reserve their seats for Sunday's game.