*Assignment for AP Media Writing Class*

Chris BarrowFebruary 11, 2014

TOLEDO, Ohio - In his first year dressed in midnight blue and gold, University

of Toledo guard Justin Drummond knows about off and on nights. Drummond, a

Loyola (MD) transfer, connected with his first career double-double in a 77-68 win

over Northern Illinois Wednesday.

Just four days earlier, Drummond had one of those off nights committing

seven turnovers while only scoring four points in a big win over Akron. He badly

wanted to make up for that performance.

“I didn’t have one of my greatest games,” he said.

In a game slowed by 30 second-half fouls, Drummond provided the spark

that the Rockets needed to get the victory. He led the way with 24 points and 11

rebounds.

“It was a frustrating game,” Coach Tod Kowalczyk said. “I’d like to think our

players didn’t look frustrated.”

The Rockets shot 50.0 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from the 3-

point line to improve its MAC-best beyond-the-arc shooting percentage to 36.0

percent.

“Hey, you’re going to have games like that. You just gotta make sure you

make plays and still win,” Kowalczyk said.

Three other Rockets scored in double digits with point guard Julius (Juice)

Brown contributing 15 points and Rian Pearson and Nathan Boothe scoring 10

points apiece.

The Rockets (16-2, 4-1) continually have four or five guys scoring in double

digits each game.

“It’s a great thing to have multiple weapons on the team,” Brown said.

All five starters average double digits in points, J.D. Weatherspoon was one

point short of that contributing nine points against NIU.

Toledo took the lead midway through the 1st half and never gave up that lead

for the remainder of the game. They forced NIU to commit 17 turnovers while

committing 13 themselves.

Sophomore guard Travon Baker led the way for NIU (7-10, 1-4) with 17

points while sophomore Darrell Bowie was close behind with 16 points. The NIU

Huskies shot 43.8 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from 3-point territory.

A crowd of 4,335 attended Wednesday’s game where they experienced the

Rocket’s 10th straight home victory dating back to the 2012-13 season.