Toledo Rockets Edge Central Michigan Chippewas 78-75
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 3:00 PM ET · McGuirk Arena
Toledo Rockets 78, Central Michigan Chippewas 75, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Toledo Rockets vs Central Michigan Chippewas?
Toledo Rockets beat Central Michigan Chippewas 78-75 at McGuirk Arena on January 3, 2026.
Who was favored in Toledo Rockets vs Central Michigan Chippewas?
Toledo Rockets were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -355 (about 78% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Toledo Rockets defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas 78-75 at McGuirk Arena on January 3, 2026. This game was significant as it marked the second meeting between the two teams this season, with Toledo having previously won 69-67 in their first encounter on January 11, 2025. The Rockets' victory extends their current winning streak to two games, while the Chippewas have now lost their last four.
Central Michigan entered the game with a record of 4-11, struggling throughout the season with a recent form of 2-8 over their last ten games. They averaged 72.4 points scored per game during this stretch but allowed a troubling 81.7 points. Their last five games saw them score an average of 67.6 points while conceding 77.0 points. The Chippewas' home record stood at 2-2, but they had not fared well on the road, with an away record of 0-6.
In contrast, Toledo had a better overall record of 8-6 and was performing well with a 6-4 record in their last ten games. The Rockets averaged 85.1 points scored and allowed 78.2 points during this period. Their recent form included a scoring average of 84.0 points in their last five games, while they conceded an average of 82.2 points. Toledo's away record was 1-3, but they had a strong home performance with a 5-1 record.
The game featured a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. The Rockets managed to secure the win with key plays in the final moments. Tamario Adley made a crucial tip-in layup to give Toledo a 72-71 lead, followed by Austin Parks converting both of his free throws to extend the lead to 74-71. Central Michigan fought back, with Adley hitting an 8-foot jump shot to narrow the gap to 74-73, but Toledo's Kyler Vanderjagt responded with a driving layup, pushing the score to 76-73. Sonny Wilson then added two more free throws, making it 78-73 before Phat Phat Brooks scored a layup for Central Michigan to bring the final score to 78-75.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details on player availability, but both teams were expected to field their regular lineups. The market for this game, as provided by DraftKings, had Toledo favored by 7.5 points, with a total set at 158.5. The odds for the total were -112.0 for the over and -108.0 for the under, while the moneyline was set at +280.0 for Central Michigan and -355.0 for Toledo.
The conditions for the game were typical for a winter evening in Michigan, with no adverse weather reported that would impact attendance or gameplay. Fans watching the game were treated to a display of competitive basketball, with both teams showcasing their offensive capabilities and resilience.
Overall, the matchup between the Toledo Rockets and Central Michigan Chippewas was a thrilling encounter that highlighted the Rockets' ability to close out games and the Chippewas' struggle to find consistency. With this win, Toledo continues to build momentum as they look to improve their standing in the league, while Central Michigan will need to regroup and address their defensive issues moving forward.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | TOL -7.5 | 158.5 o -112 / u -108 | Toledo Rockets -355 · Central Michigan Chippewas +280 |
Leaders
- PointsPhat Phat Brooks17Central Michigan Chippewas
- AssistsTamario Adley4Central Michigan Chippewas
- ReboundsNick Mullen6Central Michigan Chippewas
- PointsKyler Vanderjagt23Toledo Rockets
- AssistsSonny Wilson5Toledo Rockets
- ReboundsAustin Parks11Toledo Rockets
Recent form
Central Michigan Chippewas
Last 10: 2-8Streak L372.4 scored · 81.7 allowed per game2-2 at home
- L64-80vs Ohio BobcatsDec 30
- L61-88at Wisconsin BadgersDec 23
- L73-74at Northern Illinois HuskiesDec 20
- W85-65vs Olivet CometsDec 18
- L55-78at Stony Brook SeawolvesDec 13
- L65-107at Saint Louis BillikensDec 7
- L72-83at Loyola Chicago RamblersDec 3
- W112-67vs Adrian BulldogsNov 26
- L71-85at Marquette Golden EaglesNov 22
- L66-90vs Northern Kentucky NorseNov 21
Toledo Rockets
Last 10: 6-4Streak W285.1 scored · 78.2 allowed per game1-3 away
- W84-79vs Western Michigan BroncosDec 30
- W100-67vs Lourdes Gray WolvesDec 20
- L69-92at Michigan State SpartansDec 16
- L70-75at Robert Morris ColonialsDec 13
- L97-98at Oakland Golden GrizzliesDec 6
- W102-58vs Central State MaraudersDec 1
- L72-87vs Belmont BruinsNov 26
- W75-68at Troy TrojansNov 24
- W92-75vs Youngstown State PenguinsNov 20
- W90-83vs Detroit Mercy TitansNov 15
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (OH) | 32-2 | - | 18-0 |
| Akron | 29-6 | 1 | 17-1 |
| Kent State | 24-10 | 4 | 14-4 |
| Toledo | 19-15 | 7 | 11-7 |
| Bowling Green | 18-14 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Ohio | 15-17 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Buffalo | 17-15 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Massachusetts | 17-16 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Ball State | 12-19 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Central Michigan | 10-21 | 12 | 6-12 |
| Western Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Eastern Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Northern Illinois | 9-21 | 10 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Toledo Rockets | Central Michigan Chippewas |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-60 | 29-60 |
| Field goal % | 40 | 48 |
| Three-pointers | 4-12 | 8-19 |
| Three-point % | 33 | 42 |
| Free throws | 26-32 | 9-12 |
| Free throw % | 81 | 75 |
| Rebounds | 41 | 28 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 4 |
| Defensive rebounds | 28 | 24 |
| Assists | 13 | 12 |
| Steals | 4 | 4 |
| Blocks | 1 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 16 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 38 |
| Fouls | 12 | 22 |
| Largest lead | 5 | 16 |
| Lead changes | 2 | 2 |
| Time in front | 23 | 75 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half40-49Jaxson Whitaker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-49Sonny Wilson makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half44-49Sean Craig makes layup (Leroy Blyden Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half44-51Jalen Kampen makes 8-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half46-51Sean Craig makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half47-51Sean Craig makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half47-53Nathan Claerbaut makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half50-53Kyler Vanderjagt makes 25-foot three point jumper (Sean Craig assists)
- 2nd Half50-55Nathan Claerbaut makes 6-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half51-55Sean Craig makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-57Nathan Claerbaut makes 8-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half52-57Kyler Vanderjagt makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-59Phat Phat Brooks makes driving layup (Tamario Adley assists)
- 2nd Half53-59Leroy Blyden Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-59Leroy Blyden Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-61Phat Phat Brooks makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-61Kyler Vanderjagt makes 5-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half57-61Leroy Blyden Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-61Leroy Blyden Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-61Kyler Vanderjagt makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-61Kyler Vanderjagt makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-64Jaxson Whitaker makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half62-64Sonny Wilson makes 4-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half64-64Sean Craig makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-64Sonny Wilson makes driving layup (Leroy Blyden Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half67-64Sonny Wilson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-66Phat Phat Brooks makes 7-foot floating jump shot (Tamario Adley assists)
- 2nd Half69-66Sonny Wilson makes 7-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half69-68Phat Phat Brooks makes driving layup
- 2nd Half69-69Phat Phat Brooks makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half71-69Austin Parks makes 4-foot floating jump shot (Sonny Wilson assists)
- 2nd Half72-69Austin Parks makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half72-71Tamario Adley makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half73-71Austin Parks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-71Austin Parks makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-73Tamario Adley makes 8-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half76-73Kyler Vanderjagt makes driving layup
- 2nd Half77-73Sonny Wilson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-73Sonny Wilson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-75Phat Phat Brooks makes driving layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Central Michigan Chippewas, below favours Toledo Rockets.
Venue
- McGuirk ArenaMount Pleasant, MI
- Attendance1342
- OfficialsNate Harris, Mike O'Neill, Jeff Spedoske
Elsewhere
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- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond