Toledo upsets Iowa State to earn first NCAA Tournament win since 1996

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - The Toledo women’s basketball team defeated Iowa State 80-73 Saturday to secure its first NCAA Tournament win since 1996.

The No. 12 Rockets move on to face No. 4 Tennessee on Monday for the right to advance to the Sweet 16. The game is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

Toledo secured the win over No. 5 Iowa State behind 24 points and 13 rebounds from MAC Player of the Year Quinesha Lockett. Toledo led 43-36 at halftime and held off the Cyclones in the second half to earn the team’s program-best 17th-straight win.

The Rockets secured their 29th win on the season, which ties a program record.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the focus and the effort and the intensity of our kids all game long,” Head Coach Tricia Cullop said after the game. “This team was very determined...I’m just so proud of them and I’m honored to be their coach.”

Tennessee defeated No. 13 Saint Louis 95-50 earlier in the day Saturday to advance to the second round.

The win for Toledo marks the team’s fourth all-time win in the NCAA Tournament. All three previous wins came in the first round, with the last coming on March 16, 1996 against Ole Miss when Toledo was the No. 10 seed.

The Rockets are in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.

“We’re really confident in one another,” said Toledo senior Jayda Jansen, who scored 17 points in the win. “It’s us against the world. We’re not scared of anybody.”

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