UT Rockets defeat WMU Broncos 80-73

The University of Toledo women’s basketball team won an 80-73 thriller on Saturday at home against Western Michigan, improving to 2-1 in Mid-American Conference play.

Since starting 0-6 on the season the Rockets (7-7, 2-1 MAC) have won seven of their last eight games.

Sophomore guard Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott led the Rockets with a season-high 24 points. She finished the game four of eight from beyond the arch and caroling seven rebounds in the process.

Joining her with over 20 points on the night was senior captain Brenae Harris who was one assist away from a triple-double. The 5’10’’ guard played all but two minutes of the contest finishing with 22 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

Joining the two in double figures was senior Ana Capatosto and junior Janice Monakana with 10 points apiece.

Late in the first quarter Monakana took a hard hit on a lay-up and was sent to the locker room and wouldn’t return until late in the second quarter.

Western Michigan’s Meredith Shipman could not be stopped, scoring 17 points in the first half and adding 14 more to end the game with 31 points. Shipman ended the game shooting 9-14 from three point land.

The Rockets had a strong first-half performance, shooting 54 percent from the field and finished the game shooting 50 percent from the field, making this just the second time this season they have finished a game shooting at least 50 percent.

Toledo held the lead for all but one minute of the first half. Western Michigan took an early 7-3 lead in the first quarter, but the Rockets would go on a 16-7 run and take a 19-14 lead to end the quarter.

The Broncos outscored Toledo 25-18 in the second quarter to knot things up at 37 at the break.

The second half was nothing short of entertaining as both teams traded baskets back and forth in the third quarter. UT took a four point, 63-59 lead into the last 10 minutes of regulation.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the game continued to get more physical with both teams ending in the bonus. WMU ended the game with a total of 24 fouls while the Rockets finished with 16.

With 5:28 left in the quarter, Toledo held a 69-63 lead after going on a 6-0 run. The Broncos responded with a 9-0 run of their own to regain the lead at 72-69 with just under three minutes to play.

UT then started to run away with it, outscoring Western 11-1 to end the game.

WMU could not connect from the field and was forced to foul early in hopes to stop the Rockets offense.

Toledo went on to make 11 of their last 12 free throws to end the game. The Rockets shot 83 percent from the charity line finishing 25 of 30 from the mark.

The Rockets took care of the ball in the second half, committing just four turnovers. In the process of doing so they were able to tie their season high of 18 assists.

The now 2-1 Rockets hit the road as they look to tally their third consecutive victory against MAC opponent Miami (OH) on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

Toledo will then return back to Savage Arena on Saturday, Jan. 16 where they will take on Northern Illinois.