Rockets use Savage Magic to Beat Bobcats

Stan Jopline earned his 200th career victory as the Rockets found some more Savage Hall magic in a 54-52 come-from-behind victory over Ohio University. Senior Jerrah Young and junior Ty Kent led the Rockets with 13 points each.

For the second straight time in Savage Hall, where Toledo has won 19 straight conference game, The Rockets overcome a 2-possession lead with one minute left to win.

The Ohio Bobcats (16-8, 7-4) completely dominated the first half and went into the break with a solid 28-16 lead. But the Rockets outscored Ohio 38-24 in the second half to beat the Bobcats 54-52 in front of a Savage Hall crowd of 3,576.

Senior guard Bubba Walther came off the bench for the Bobcats and hit three straight 3-point jumpers in the first half to give Ohio their 12 point lead. Walther finished the game 5 of 9 from behind the arc and led the game with 15 points.

Tyrone Kent and Jerrah Young the led the Rockets (8-15, 5-6) with 13 points apiece.

Toledo found themselves down 45-35 with 5:43 left to play in regulation when Tyrone Kent made a huge dunk over an Ohio defender to spark a rally. From there is took 2:31 for the Rockets to soar back on a 10-0 run to tie the game at 45-45.

The key to the Rockets staying in the game was shutting down the leading candidate for MAC player of the leader, forward Leon Williams. Leon came into the game 3rd in the league in scoring and first in rebounding with 16.6 and 10.2 per game. Jerrah Young and freshman Mohamed Lo held him to 2 of 6 from the field for only 6 points and 8 rebounds.

The Rockets were down 52-48 with 30 seconds left to play when Ty Kent layed it in to make it a 2 point game. Following an offensive foul on OU, Jonathan Amos hit a jumper to tie the game at 52-52 with 26 seconds left.

Toledo used what little fuel was left in their tanks to cover up the Bobcats and stole the imbound. Ty Kent was fouled at the top of the key and went to the line to hit two free throws. Ohio threw up an off balance 3-pointer as time expired that safely went below the rim.

Jonathan Amos continued to play solid defense and led the Rockets with 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Amos leads the league with 2.64 steals per game.

Toledo goes on the road to play Ball St on Sunday and then returns home next Wednesday to play Northern Illinois in hopes to get back from a disappointed loss in Dekalb in January.