TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo held off a late rally by Southern Miss to earn a 76-67 victory Saturday at John F. Savage Arena. The Rockets improved to 12-9 overall and 6-4 in the Mid-American Conference, while the Lady Eagles dropped to 12-12 and 5-7 in the Sun Belt Conference, according to game officials.
Toledo’s starters delivered 20-point performances, with both players scoring exactly 20 points to lead the team. The Rockets built a sizable lead in the second half and maintained it through the final minutes, despite Southern Miss’s efforts to mount a comeback.
Southern Miss’s Meloney Thames led all scorers with 25 points, just two shy of her career high, and was supported by Jakayla Johnson with 19 points and Whitney Hart with 15. Thames scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, helping her team chip away at Toledo’s lead. Johnson also added a key three-pointer and a steal that led to a fast-break basket late in the game.
The game saw Toledo jump to an early lead, culminating in a 15-8 advantage after the first quarter. The Rockets extended their margin to as much as 15 points in the third quarter. Southern Miss responded with an 8-0 run in the fourth, prompted by Thames and Johnson, but Toledo answered with a 7-0 run of its own to seal the win. The Rockets shot 50% in the final frame, finishing 15-for-30 from the field, while Southern Miss struggled from beyond the arc, making only 1 of 11 three-pointers.
Rebounding also favored Toledo, which collected 45 boards to Southern Miss’s 35. The Rockets made 6 of 19 attempts from three-point range, while the Lady Eagles made just one shot beyond the arc. Toledo’s ability to hit free throws down the stretch helped secure the victory.
Southern Miss returns home Thursday to face ULM at Reed Green Coliseum. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m., according to team officials. Fans are encouraged to purchase season tickets and follow the team on social media for updates.
