 TOLEDO 73, WESTERN MICHIGAN 60 GRIFFIN CONTINUES HOT HAND
Sophomore G Malcolm Griffin followed up last Saturday’s career-best 31-point effort with a game-high 22 points to lead the Rockets’ offensively, marking the second 20-point outing of his career. Redshirt freshman F Hayden Humes contributed a career-high 19 points and eight rebounds with freshman guards Reese Holliday and J.T. Thomas scoring 10 points apiece.
Humes sank 11-of-16 attempts from the charity stripe and helped UT register season highs in both free throws (26) and free-throw attempts (34).
Junior G Demetrius Ward topped the Bronco attack with 20 points.
REBOUNDING WITH THE BEST
Western Michigan's 16 turnovers equaled the most by a Toledo opponent this season, while the Rockets committed just 13 turnovers. The Rockets also held a 37-36 rebounding advantage over the Broncos, who came into the contest tied for the league lead in rebounding margin.
The Rockets held a 37-23 advantage at halftime after limiting WMU to a 32.0 field-goal percentage. Toledo was able to maintain a double-digit cushion for the second stanza’s first five minutes but Ward cut the visitor’s deficit to 42-35 with 14:17 to play.
UT didn’t let the Broncos get any closer for nearly the next 10 minutes, when junior F Flenard Whitfield’s layup made it a six-point contest, 53-47, with 5:44 remaining.
Griffin kept the Rockets in control, though, with a layup and a pair of free throws to provide UT with a 58-48 lead with 4:06 to play.
Toledo was able to thwart any hopes of a Bronco rally by making 13 of 16 free throws down the stretch.
WEST LEADER UP NEXT
The Rockets will continue their three-game homestand on Saturday, Jan. 22 when they host MAC West Division leader Ball State (12-4, 4-0 MAC). The contest will tip off at approximately 7:00 p.m. and will follow the UT women’s game vs. Buffalo.
Western Michigan hosts Northern Illinois Saturday (2 p.m.)
Courtesy of Toledo Athletics.
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