Navigato sparks Toledo comeback, edging N. Illinois 57-54
TOLDEO, Ohio -- Nate Navigato scored 10 of his 21 points late in the game as Toledo overcame an 11-point Northern Illinois lead to edge the Huskies 57-54 Saturday night.
Leading from the opening tip against the Mid-American Conference West Division leaders, Northern Illinois had just taken its largest lead, 43-32, on a Lacey James dunk with about 12 minutes left.
Navigato answered with back-to-back 3-pointers and Willie Jackson dunked to whack the lead down to 43-40. Marreon Jackson then scored seven points, pulling the Rockets (21-6, 9-5 Mid-American) into a 48-48 tie when he sank a 3-pointer and was fouled, converting the 4-point play.
Navigato forged a 50-50 tie with free throws and Luke Knapke pushed Toledo ahead for the first time all game with a layup off a turnover at the 3:20 mark.
Eugene German led Northern Illinois (12-15, 5-9) with 22 points including five 3-pointers, with eight rebounds and three steals. Dante Thorpe added 12 points.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Bill Ek
- Larry Scirotto
- Tyler Kumpf
2023-24 Mid-American Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Toledo | 14-4 | - | 20-12 |
Akron | 13-5 | 1 | 24-11 |
Ohio | 13-5 | 1 | 20-13 |
Central Michigan | 12-6 | 2 | 18-14 |
Bowling Green | 10-8 | 4 | 20-14 |
Miami (OH) | 9-9 | 5 | 15-17 |
Western Michigan | 9-9 | 5 | 12-20 |
Kent State | 8-10 | 6 | 17-17 |
Ball State | 7-11 | 7 | 15-16 |
Eastern Michigan | 6-12 | 8 | 13-18 |
Northern Illinois | 5-13 | 9 | 11-20 |
Buffalo | 2-16 | 12 | 4-27 |