Toledo Rockets denied the Big Dance

Story by Max Alfonso | Photos by Kyle Brown

CLEVELAND – Going into the locker room during halftime, No. 2 Toledo women’s basketball team was up by three points and feeling confident they could knock off No. 1 Ball State to claim the MAC Championship at Rocket Arena on Saturday.

After all, the Rockets put down Ball State 70-66 the last time they met nearly a month ago.

But Toledo blew the half-time lead, and Ball State outlasted Toledo 65-58 behind a 4th quarter 14-point surge by forward Alex Richard, who finished the game with 28 points and nine rebounds. She had help by point guard Ally Becki, who stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, five assists and seven rebounds, helping to earn the Cardinals their first MAC Championship title since 2009.

Richard was named to the All-MAC Second Team and Tournament Team, along with Becki, who was crowned the MAC Player of the Year and was First Team All-MAC, as well as the tournament MVP.

This is the second straight year Toledo will not make the NCAA tournament. The Rockets made it to the Big Dance two years ago under Tricia Cullop, who left after 16 seasons to take the head coaching job at the University of Miami (Florida).

After three seasons at Monmouth, Ginny Boggess was hired to replace Cullop and will likely continue her first year with an invite to play in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). Both selection shows are on Sunday, March 16.

In the media room after the game, Boggess said she was proud of the entire roster and how far they have come as team.

“I’m really excited that because of our work in the regular season, this won’t be the last time these two wear this jersey,” Boggess said, referring to Sammi Mikonowicz and Khera Goss, who were sitting next to her. Both seniors were named to the All-MAC tournament team.

Championship game notes

For all three tournament games, Toledo’s Nan Garcia, named 6th MAC Player of the Year, was moved into the starting lineup, replacing Jessica Cook. Garcia responded with back-to-back games of double-figure scoring. But in the championship game, Garcia had five turnovers, was blocked several times under the net, and finished with only three points, making only one of her eight shots.

Toledo found a bit of success with Cook, who made all four of her shot attempts to finish with eight points, but found herself in foul trouble with four fouls.

Toledo native Kendall Carruthers led the way for Toledo with 17 points, making seven of her nine shot attempts.

Rossford’s Mikonowicz and Goss combined for 19 points for Toledo.

After the game, Boggess pointed out that second chance points were a big turning point in the game. Toledo had five and the Cardinals had 11.

“I told them when I took the job that their legacy is already cemented with the three championships,” Boggess said, talking about her seniors. “If they teach these young kids how to win, then their legacy will live on. Our future is because of them buying in and letting us do our jobs.”

When the season concludes, Toledo will lose five key pieces from a team that has won a lot of big games and an NCAA tournament game over Iowa State in 2023. It was the first Rocket win in the NCAA tournament since 1996. 

“I’m really grateful for what the Toledo provides us, to create that elite student athlete experience. We’ve got something really special here,” Boggess said.

Toledo men lose in semifinal

No. 4 Toledo men’s basketball lost to the No. 1 seeded Akron in the semifinal Friday night with a score of 100-90. They finished the season with a 18-15 record, their eighth consecutive season with a record over .500.

The men have won the MAC regular season title the past four seasons in a row, but woes in Cleveland have prevented an NCAA tournament appearance. This year they finished fourth after they lost six of eight games to close the regular season. Toledo hasn’t made the NCAA tournament since 1979-1980.  

Toledo started four sophomores, so you would think next year they should be much improved, being that they have much more experience. But with the transfer portal, you never know what could happen. After last season, Toledo lost three starters to the portal.

In some ways, it was a miracle Toledo finished the year 18-15. According to KenPom, Toledo finished the season last in the MAC in defensive efficiency and 7th in 3p%. Not a winning recipe.

Toledo men’s basketball will likely not play in a postseason tournament.

Toledo head coach Ginny Boggess watches down court as players react to a basket.

Khera Goss receives a pass and begins to drive up to the basket.

Toledo Blue Crew members (from left to right) Woozyy #128, Jammies #130, Heartthrob #134, Nutcracker #127, and Granny #129.

Toledo head coach Ginny Boggess goes over a play during a time out.

Toledo head coach Ginny Boggess questions Faith Fedd-Robinson about a foul.

Toledo’s Jessica Cook saves the ball from being out of bounds by tossing it to teammate Khera Goss.

The Toledo bench reacts to a foul on Sammi Mikonowicz.

Toledo Rockets cheer on Toledo during a foul shot.

Sammi Mikonowicz drives past Ball State’s Marie Kiefer.

Hannah Noveroske calls a play to her teammates while on the bench.

Khera Goss, Sammi Mikonowicz and Cadence Dykstra wait at half court as a Ball State player was tended to after a fall.

Rossford native and Toledo senior Sammi Mikonowicz, center, gets emotional after the team’s loss.

Sammi Mikonowicz, from left, Kendall Carruthers and Khera Goss wait for their coach to take them into the locker room after a heartbreaking defeat.

Sammi Mikonowicz, center, is escorted off of the court by teammates Faith Fedd-Robinson, left, and Kendall Carruthers after their loss to Ball State. Mikonowicz and Carruthers are both from the Toledo area.