Toledo secured an impressive 69-54 victory over Arizona in Sunday’s championship game of the Florida International University Thanksgiving Classic in Miami. With the win, UT improves to 3-2 on the season.

Senior Inma Zanoguera garnered tournament MVP accolades for the victorious Rockets and tied her career high for the second-straight contest, finishing with 24 points, seven boards, four helpers and three thefts.

During the two-game tourney, Zanoguera contributed 24.0 points, 6.0 caroms, 7.0 dimes and 1.5 steals in 38.0 minutes. The two-time All-Mid-American Conference performer shot a combined 13 of 18 from the floor and a flawless 18 of 18 from the free-throw line to help the Midnight Blue and Gold claim its 10th pre-conference tourney crown in school history.

Junior Ana Capotosto added 13 points and freshman all-tourney performer Michaela Rasmussen tacked on 11 points versus the Wildcats to propel Toledo to back-to-back wins for the first time this season. The Rockets defeated ACC member Virginia, 64-62, in the first round of the tourney Friday.

As a team, the Rockets shot 43.8 percent (21 of 48) from the floor, including 21.1 percent (4 of 19) from three-point range, and a sizzling 88.5 percent (23 of 26) from the free-throw line.

Malena Washington paced Arizona (2-3) with 12 points off the bench, followed by Keyahndra Cannon and LaBrittney Jones with 11 and 10, respectively.

The Wildcats looked sharp early and raced out to an 11-4 lead at the 12:11 mark. Dejza James and Jones combined for seven of the points to create a three-possession cushion.

UT then started to warm up at both ends of the court and ended the first half on an 18-6 run to create a 28-22 advantage at the intermission. Zanoguera scored the team’s final eight points and 10 total in the game-changing stretch to open up a six-point cushion at the half.

With the offense clicking, Toledo turned up the intensity defensively and limited Arizona to just one field goal over the final 5:30 of the period and never looked back.

Toledo kept the edge to start the second half and scored the first seven points to extend the margin to 35-22 with 18:18 remaining in regulation. Capotosto capped the run with a traditional three-point play to establish a double-digit lead.

The Rockets remained focused as the second period wore on and strung together an 11-0 run to put the game out reach, 49-29, at the 8:57 mark. UT never let the lead fall below 13 points for the remainder of regulation to post the impressive 15-point triumph.

Toledo put on a defensive clinic after a hot start offensively from Arizona and held the Pac-12 affiliate to 32.8 percent (19 of 58) from the field, including 18.8 percent (3 of 16) from three-point land.

The Rockets return to the hardwood on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Atlantic 10 power Dayton. The opening tip against the Flyers is slated for 11 a.m.

This entry was posted  on  Sunday, November 30th, 2014  at  6:05 pm  and is filed under  Athletics, News .
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