 TOLEDO 75, USC-UPSTATE “We’re very excited,” Thorpe said. “We did exactly what we need to do to win basketball games. We came out and defended in the second half and played with a lot of energy.”
Toledo trailed 59-50 with 9:48 remaining when Brown ignited an eight-point spurt with a layup and jumper. UT didn’t take its first lead of the second stanza until freshman G Ryan Majerle knocked down a trey with 2:55 to play for a 65-63 lead the Rockets didn’t relinquish.
Junior G Dominique Buckley hit what was probably the game’s decisive basket with a three-pointer from the corner to put UT up, 70-66, with 53.6 seconds remaining. The Rockets held off the Spartans’ comeback efforts by knocking down three of four free throws down the stretch. Freshman G Julius Brown tallied the game’s final points with a steal and layup just before the buzzer.
“I was wide open, and I think that played to my advantage,” Buckley said. “I just caught the ball and shot it. It was definitely a big win for us. We knew we had to pick it up on defense in the second half, and that’s what we did.”
Brown paced the Rockets’ attack by scoring 17 points for a second-straight evening while also dishing out a game-high seven assists. Sophomore G Rian Pearson also played a big role for UT with his first career double-double (16 pts., career-high 12 boards). They were joined in double figures by Buckley (career-high 14 pts.) and sophomore F Matt Smith (11 pts.).
“On any given night we have guys who can carry this basketball team,” Thorpe said. “Rian did a great job offensively in the first half, and in the second half he did an unbelievable job with his leadership.”
In addition to its solid defensive showing in the second half, Toledo limited its turnovers with just 10 miscues, half of its total from its season opener.
“We were too pumped out last night and tonight I sensed we were a lot calmer,” Buckley said. “I think that helped us limit our turnovers and play under control more.”
The Rockets will be back in action on Sunday night when they battle the host Broncos at 8:00 p.m. ET. UT will wrap up the tournament against Victory (TN) Univ. on Monday at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Courtesy of Toledo Athletics |
