Rockets drop second straight game on the road

The Toledo women’s basketball team dropped its second straight game on the road, losing 59-41 at Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

The loss drops the Rockets to 9-9, 4-3 MAC, and marks the third time in the last four meetings that UT has fallen to the Eagles.

UT made just 31 percent of their shots from the field, including 3 of 23 — a whopping 13 percent — from three-point land. Toledo also only attempted five free throws the entire game.

The Rockets were dominated on the glass 50-34 including 19 offensive rebounds for the Eagles. UT also struggled with ball security, tying a season-worst with 21 turnovers.

The Rockets were led by junior Janice Monakana, who scored 15 points, grabbed five boards and rejected two shots off the bench. She was the only Rocket to score in double figures that night.

Senior Brenae Harris was next on the box score, with 8 points, four rebounds and three steals. Freshman Kaayla McIntyre recorded six points, three rebounds and a season-high three blocks in her first collegiate start.

Fellow freshman Halee Printz struggled in her first collegiate start, shooting one of ten from the field in 33 minutes of play.

Eastern Michigan was led by Janay Morton with a game-high 23 points, nine boards and six steals. Toledo native Cha Sweeney pitched in 14 points and four assists for the preseason MAC West favorites.

EMU was sizzling from the opening tip, hitting four of their first five shots including two treys from Morton. Toledo would trail 18-6 after the first quarter shooting only 25 percent in the first 10 minutes.

The second quarter began the same way for the Rockets as Morton hit two more triples to stretch the lead to 31-12 with four minutes until halftime. But Harris sparked an 8-2 run to close the gap to 13 at the half.

UT started the the third quarter on fire, rattling off the first seven points. Harris’ trey diminished the lead to six but the Eagles would make a 9-2 run coming out of a timeout to re-position themselves in the lead.

EMU would hold off the Rockets, never letting them back within nine points. Toledo dropped back-to-back games for the first time since early December.

UT returns home to host the battle of I-75 as the Bowling Green Falcons visit Savage Arena Jan. 30. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

BGSU holds a 42-31 advantage in the all-time series, but UT has won four of the last five meetings against its arch-rival. A year ago, Toledo claimed a 64-48 road triumph on Jan. 31 in the Stroh Center.