It’s finally here -- tournament time.  Toledo enters the tournament as the #2 seed and will face the Ball State Cardinals on Wednesday at noon in opening quarterfinal action.  Ball State earned the right to play Toledo by defeating Western Michigan yesterday 67-43 in Muncie in the first round of the tournament.  Ball State finished conference play at 7-9, good for 4th place in the West Division and the #7 seed for the tournament.  Overall, the Cardinals are 14-16.

The Cardinals have a one-two punch in 6’1” junior forward Emily Maggert and 5’8” senior guard Audrey McDonald.  Maggert is averaging a team-best double-double of 17.1 points and 10.8 rebounds.  While most of Maggert’s damage is done inside (52.8% from the floor), she’ll also throw up a three periodically (36.8%).  McDonald is the team’s second leading scorer with 12.3 points per game.  She is one of the MAC’s best three-point shooters (38.0%), and this season, McDonald shattered the MAC career record for three pointers made.  She has made more three-pointers (82) than any of her MAC peers this season.  She also leads the MAC in free-throw shooting (90.8%) and in assists-to-turnover ratio.  Two other players who are important contributors are 5’6” junior guard Ty’Ronda Benning (9.6 points) and 6’1” senior forward Danielle Gratton (8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds).  Both will throw up a three occasionally.

The Cardinals are in the top five or six of most statistical categories, and their 42.1 percent shooting percentage ranks them third.  They are also on a bit of roll right now, having won five of their past seven games.

The two teams met twice during the regular season, each winning on its home court.    In game one in Muncie, Toledo had a five-game winning streak come to a halt, 73-69.  After falling behind by 10 early, Toledo had its chances, taking a five-point lead in the first half, before falling behind by five at intermission.  They again came back in the second half to take a four-point lead, but once again, Ball State had an answer and took back the lead.  They then held off the Lady Rockets in the last minute of play.  Allie Clifton and Lisa Johnson were sidelined for that one.  Tanika Mays led the Lady Rockets with 20 points, her fifth game in a row with at least 19 points.  Naama Shafir tallied 15, all in the second half, and had a game-high eight assists.  Melissa Goodall scored 13 with seven rebounds, and Clare Aubry was a first-half spark with 10 points.  The team’s 13 turnovers were just two shy of its season low.  For Ball State, Maggert was effective all over the court as she had game highs of 24 points and 13 rebounds.  She made defensing her tough by hitting four of four from beyond the arc.  McDonald scored 20 and also canned four triples.  Benning scored 18.
 
In game two in Toledo, Toledo ended a three-game losing streak to the Cardinals with a 62-48 victory.  With the win, Toledo claimed the outright championship of the West Division.  The offense was a little sluggish for Toledo in this one, so the Lady Rockets turned up the defense and in the process held Ball State to its lowest point total of the season and its worst shooting percentage of the season (26.4%).  Toledo also outrebounded the Cardinals 42-34.  Lecretia Smith was a much-needed spark off the bench as she scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds (five offensive), both of which were only one shy of her season high.  Melissa was 5 of 8 from the floor in scoring a team-high 13 points, and she added five rebounds and a pair of assists and blocks.  The team’s three seniors were all in the starting lineup and made valuable contributions in their last regular season appearance in Savage Arena.  Tanika scored 11 with eight rebounds, Allie was tenacious on the boards with eight rebounds, and Lisa played 17 solid minutes in scoring five points with a pair of caroms.  Naama had a game-high six assists.  For Ball State, Maggert had 15 points and 13 rebounds.  Benning had 12 points and McDonald 11.  The trio was responsible for all seven of Ball State’s three-pointers.

Alumni Association Hosting Pre-Game Brunch
The University of Toledo Alumni Association is hosting a pre-game party at the official team headquarters for Rocket pre-game parties -- Harry Buffalo's (2120 E. 4th Street, Cleveland, OH 44115), across from the entrance to Quicken Loans Arena.  The parties will start two hours before every UT game.  Admission is $10 per person, which includes all-you-can-eat hot finger foods.  On Wednesday, March 10, the Alumni Association will host a pre-game party at 10 a.m. before the Lady Rockets play at noon.  The menu will include scrambled eggs, bacon, French toast, home fries, coffee and assorted pastries.  A cash bar and juice for $2 a bottle will be available.
 
We'll be joined by a member of the coaching staff, the band and cheerleaders.  Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are appreciated.  To register in advance, please contact the UT Alumni Association at 419.530.2586, 800.235.6766, or visit the online events page at www.toledoalumni.org.

Other Tournament Games on Wednesday
In game 2 on Wednesday, Kent State will play either Central Michigan or Ohio 30 minutes following the Toledo game.  In game 3, Miami will play Bowling Green 30 minutes after the Kent State/Central Michigan-Ohio game (Bowling Green beat Miami twice during the regular season).  And in game 4, Akron will meet Eastern Michigan 30 minutes after the Miami/Bowling Green game (Akron beat Eastern Michigan on the road in only season meeting).  The winners of these four games will play in the semifinals on Friday.

Way to go, L.Rockets! Naama had a great game w/18pts, Tanika 14pts, and Goody had another double double, w/14pts and 11 rebs!

No M%M's left. Must refill for semi-final! 

I will attend that final, (which LRockets will make), come #e!! or highwater!

Coach C. said it was a win for Lisa Johnson, as well, who was as instrumental as any other player for the L.Rockets being in Cleveland today!

GO ROCKETS! REFUSE TO LOSE!