Sophomore guard Desyree Thomas broke up a pass at one end of the court, then found senior guard Tavelyn James streaking down the other end for an easy fast-break layup.
Eastern Michigan’s senior leader, James, was finally starting to find her rhythm.
James scored a game-high 20 points, and senior forward Paige Redditt added 11, helping EMU (20-7, 12-2 MAC) defeat the University of Toledo Rockets (18-8, 11-3) 54-33 and take sole possession of first place in the Mid American Conference West Division on Tuesday at the Convocation Center.
Thomas added nine assists for EMU, but it was the overwhelming team defense of the Eagles and James’ speedy transition play that led them to victory.
James was held to just six first-half points after a strong defensive performance by Toledo’s senior guard Courtney Ingersoll. Ingersoll, at 5-foot-10-inches, used her length to fluster James and record three blocks and one steal in 39 minutes of play.
But it only took one basket before James took off, going on a personal 6-0 run starting at 12:09 in the second half to put the Eagles up 42-28.
Junior center Yolanda Richardson led the way for the Rockets with 18 points, nine rebounds and six blocked shots. No other Toledo player scored more than five points in the contest.
The usually steady-scoring Toledo offense managed just 33 points, a season low, thanks to the effective EMU trapping zone. The Eagle defense created 28 turnovers and forced the Rockets into difficult shots the entire game. Toledo shot 13-for-37 (.351) from the field, while EMU nearly doubled its shot attempts, going 24-for-62.
Heading into the game, Toledo was leading the MAC in field-goal percentage (.429), three-point field-goal percentage (.366) and assist-to-turnover ratio (0.8).
Thomas and sophomore guard/forward Natachia Watkins led the Eagle defense with five steals each.
EMU struggled to pull away in the first half after both teams struggled to find any offensive rhythm. With the score at 16-13 with 4:08 left to
play, EMU closed the half on a 12-5 run, including a last-second buzzer beater in which James collected her own rebound and scored a layup to beat the clock.
The second half would start much of the same way, both teams struggling to score. Toledo scored a quick two with 19:50 to play, but both teams would be held scoreless until Toledo would make two free throws with 16:43 remaining.
EMU would continue to stifle the Rockets and steadily increased its lead throughout the entire second half, before ultimately winning by 21.
The Eagles will look to avenge their 54-51 Jan. 5 defeat against Ball State on Saturday, when the Cardinals come to the Convocation Center.
Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
