Serving the University of Toledo community since 1919.

Rockets route Idaho in 80-67 home victory

Zanoguera makes history while Vandals' head coach is ejected in first round of Glass City Classic

Marcus Dodson, Sports Reporter

Hang on for a minute...we're trying to find some more stories you might like.


Email This Story






image_pdfimage_print

Before the University of Toledo women’s basketball team’s 80-67 route of Idaho Saturday, senior guard Inma Zanoguera was honored for reaching 1,000 career points last Wednesday against Dayton.

But UT’s team captain apparently wasn’t satisfied with only the one accolade.

Against Idaho in the first round of the Glass City Classic, Zanoguera made history by becoming the first player in school history to score at least 20 points and grab 20 rebounds. She finished the night with 21 points, 20 rebounds and six assists, and is also the first player since 1993 to get 20 rebounds in a single game.

“She is a phenomenal athlete and a joy to coach,” said Toledo head coach Tricia Cullop. “It was an honor to present her the 1,000 point ball before the game. I think you saw today she is so much more than a scorer and does a lot for this team.

“I don’t know if I ever coached a kid with 21 points and 20 rebounds. 20 rebounds are amazing, I’ve had kids who scored 21 points but that is an amazing effort by anyone to get 20 rebounds and she really willed us to victory today.”

Two other Rockets joined Zanoguera in double digits against the Vandals, juniors Ana Capotosto and Brenae Harris combined for 29 points in the victory.

Toledo was able to control the paint, out-rebounding Idaho 56-to-38 and holding them to just nine second-chance points.

Idaho started the game out by scoring six quick points in just over a minute of play .The Rockets answered with a 9-0 counter run in a span of just a minute, shooting a perfect six-of-six from the field and forcing the Vandals to call a timeout. Harris sparked the run with five points, including a big three-pointer.

Idaho’s Stacey Barr came out of a timeout and splashed down two consecutive baskets from beyond the arch. The Rockets answered with a 7-0 run to take a 25-16 advantage with just less than eight minutes left of play.

Barr lead all scorers with 28 points and finished the game 5-of-9 from three-point land.

“We weren’t ready for them to go into a zone,” Zanoguera said. “Our offense got stagnant and we need to do a better job at reading what the defense is doing.”

Toledo held the Vandals to just 30 percent from the field in the first half and the Vandals would finish the game shooting 35.9 percent.

Zanoguera accounted for 10 first half rebounds, as well as eight points and three assists.

In the second half, Idaho’s zone continued to trouble the Rockets. The Vandals were able to force Toledo into a scoring drought that lasted more than four minutes, allowing the visitors to cut UT’s lead down to 35-31 with about 15 minutes left in the game.

“The great thing is we didn’t hang our head today,” Cullop said. “Today we went after the rebound and tried to make things happen.”

Toledo’s defense bailed the Rockets out by causing three turnovers over the next three minutes of play. The defensive intensity allowed UT to jump out to their largest lead of the game, a 56-39 advantage with 7:21 left to play.

During the run, Idaho head coach Jon Newlees was ejected from the game after Brooke Reilly fouled out. Newless received his first technical after arguing with the referee at the scorers table, and with the second technical and an escort off the court after he failed to calm down.

Minus their head coach, Idaho manufactured a 10-2 run to cut into the Rockets lead. With just under three minutes left to play, Capatosto notched a deep trey to silence the Vandals’ comeback attempt.

The Rockets will face Southeast Missouri tomorrow in the Championship game of the Glass City Classic. Tip-off is set for noon in Savage Arena.

Print Friendly

Leave a Comment

Serving the University of Toledo community since 1919.
Rockets route Idaho in 80-67 home victory