It was a double celebration for University of Toledo during its 100-72 victory over Northern Illinois in the 2021-22 Mid-American Conference season, Sunday morning (Manila time) at the Convocation Center in DeKalb, Illinois.
Besides posting another 20-win season and clinching a slot in the MAC playoffs with their 12-2 record, the Rockets also saw third-year big man AJ Edu return to the team after 443 days.
Edu suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear during Toledo’s game against Oakland back on November 26, 2020.
The 6-foot-10 Fil-Cypriot played the last three minutes of the rout, posting a point, a rebound, and a steal.
Dominant were the Rockets right from the get-go, racing to a 53-35 lead in the first half.
Though the Huskies were able to cut the lead down to 14 early in the second half, Ryan Rollins ignited a 9-0 spurt to restore order, 64-41, with 15 minutes left in the game.
The Rockets’ lead would go to as high as 31 points, 98-67, with 2:04 left.
RayJ Dennis flirted with a triple-double in the contest, tallying 22 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists while Rollins got 22 points as well. JT Shumate went 4-of-6 from deep for 20 points as Setric Millner chipped in 17 points.
Keshawn Williams paced the 6-16 (3-9 MAC) NIU with 19 points while Kaleb Thornton had 18 points in the loss.
Up next for Edu and Toledo are Kent State on Wednesday morning (Manila time).
