Toledo Rockets Hold Off Western Michigan Broncos 90-79 Behind Strong Team Effort

The Toledo Rockets secured a 90-79 victory over the Western Michigan Broncos, led by Sonny Wilson's 18 points and 5 rebounds. Toledo's 50-point first half set the tone for the game, with the Rockets shooting 51.7% from the field and 40% from three-point range. Western Michigan's Justice Williams scored 22 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Broncos' 41-50 halftime deficit.

The game began with a strong start from the Toledo Rockets, who scored 50 points in the first half, including 17 points from Austin Parks. The Western Michigan Broncos trailed by 9 points at halftime, despite Justice Williams' 12 points. In the second half, Western Michigan narrowed the gap to 7 points with 10 minutes remaining, but Toledo's Sean Craig scored 8 of his 13 points in the final 5 minutes to seal the win. The Broncos outrebounded the Rockets 38-32, but committed 15 turnovers, leading to 20 Toledo points. With 5:30 remaining, Toledo led by 15 points, and although Western Michigan cut the deficit to 7 points, the Rockets maintained their lead, ultimately winning by 11 points.

The top performers for Western Michigan included Justice Williams, who scored 22 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, and Brady Swartz, who contributed 13 points and 9 rebounds. Trey Lewis added 11 points and 5 rebounds for the Broncos. For the Toledo Rockets, Sonny Wilson led the way with 18 points and 5 rebounds, while Austin Parks scored 17 points. Sean Craig chipped in with 13 points and 8 rebounds, helping the Rockets secure the win. Western Michigan's Justice Williams shot 50% from the field, but the Broncos' 38.5% three-point shooting wasn't enough to keep pace with Toledo's 40% mark.

Toledo's 51.7% field goal percentage and 40% three-point shooting were key factors in their victory. The Rockets also capitalized on Western Michigan's 15 turnovers, scoring 20 points off those mistakes. Western Michigan outrebounded Toledo 38-32, but the Rockets' 1.22 points per possession were more efficient than the Broncos' 1.14. With 24 assists on 34 field goals, Toledo demonstrated strong ball movement, while Western Michigan had 15 assists on 29 field goals.

The CHD Scout predicted a Toledo victory by 6.2 points, and the Rockets ultimately won by 11 points, exceeding the predicted margin. The predicted score was 75-81, but both teams scored more points than expected, with Toledo reaching 90 and Western Michigan scoring 79. The correct prediction was a reflection of the model's accuracy, as it correctly forecasted the winner and was close on the margin.

This game was a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams, with Western Michigan currently ranked 294 in the NET rankings and Toledo ranked 172. The win improves Toledo's record to 13-12, while Western Michigan falls to 8-16. As a Quadrant 4 game, the outcome has limited implications for the NCAA tournament picture, but the Rockets' victory helps to bolster their resume. With the win, Toledo remains in the mix for a potential postseason berth, although their chances are still uncertain.

The Toledo Rockets will face the Eastern Michigan Eagles on February 15, while the Western Michigan Broncos will take on the Northern Illinois Huskies on February 14. Both games matters for the teams' respective conference standings and postseason hopes.