The Toledo women’s basketball team soaked up some rays Thursday in Sorrento and played its second exhibition game in the evening during its fifth day in Italy.
The Rockets had the morning and early afternoon free to relax on the beach, before claiming a convincing 79-39 victory against the Sorrento All-Stars in Vico Equense, Campania.
Toledo put the clamps down defensively against the Sorrento All-Stars and held them scoreless
in the third period en route to a 79-39 win.
“The beach was awesome,” freshman Mali Morgan-Elliott said. “We swam some and got a lot of sun. We also did a little shopping. It was a fun day.”
The team then met up with the coaches and staff in the early afternoon for their walk-through and pre-game meal at the hotel.
At the exhibition contest, senior Mariella Santucci and junior Tanaya Beacham paced a balanced attack with 20 and 19 points, respectively. In all, 12 of Toledo’s 13 players that saw action found the scoring column, and three additional players contributed at least six points.
“We were much more patient offensively,” Head Coach Tricia Cullop said. “We worked the ball well and took a lot of good shots. At the same time, our defense stepped up. We did a much better job denying, and that means a lot to me.”
“You could see the results of our 10 team practices before we left tonight,” said Beacham, who is averaging a team-high 17.5 points in the two exhibition contests. “I feel as though those really helped us take control of the game early.
“I just try to do my job every time I step out on the court. It doesn’t matter if I’m running the floor, grabbing an offensive rebound, or playing defense. As long as I do my job, it all works.”
Toledo will take part in a boat excursion Friday on the Mediterranean Sea.
