TOLEDO, Ohio (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive droughts and a decisive final push, the Toledo Rockets used a dominant fourth quarter to pull away from the Southern Mississippi Lady Eagles for a 76-67 victory in non-conference women’s basketball action Saturday at Savage Hall.

A crowd of 4,296 saw the Rockets, who led for over 37 minutes but could never fully shake the persistent Lady Eagles, finally secure the win by closing the game on a 14-5 run over the final three minutes. The victory improved Toledo to 12-9 overall, while Southern Mississippi fell to an even 12-12.

The most critical phase of the contest unfolded late in the fourth quarter. With Toledo clinging to a 67-62 lead and just over three minutes remaining, the Rockets’ defense stiffened and their offensive execution sharpened. After a Southern Mississippi miss, Toledo’s Faith Fedd-Robinson found Evalyse Cole for a layup to extend the lead to seven. Following a missed three-pointer by the Lady Eagles, Kendall Carruthers connected on a crucial three-point field goal with 2:29 left, pushing the Toledo advantage to 71-62 and effectively sealing the outcome. Southern Mississippi, which shot a frigid 1-for-11 from beyond the arc for the game, could not mount a final rally.

Fedd-Robinson, a 5-foot-11 guard from Newark, New Jersey, was the game’s standout performer, posting a double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds in 34 minutes. She also added three assists and a block, anchoring Toledo’s effort on both ends. She was complemented by a pair of high-scoring teammates. Patricia Anumgba, a 5-7 guard from Silver Spring, Maryland, led all scorers with 25 points, while Cole, a 6-2 forward from Easton, Pennsylvania, recorded a double-double of her own with 14 points and 11 rebounds to go with five assists.

Southern Mississippi was led by the prolific scoring of guard Meloney Thames. The 5-8 sophomore from Philadelphia, Mississippi, poured in 25 points and grabbed six rebounds. Jakayla Johnson, a 5-9 guard from Clinton, Mississippi, added 19 points, and forward Whitney Hart of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, contributed 15 points and nine rebounds.

Despite the loss, Southern Mississippi won several statistical battles, forcing 13 Toledo turnovers while committing only nine, and recording nine steals to Toledo’s four. The Lady Eagles also capitalized on those miscues, scoring 15 points off turnovers compared to just four for the Rockets. However, Toledo’s superior shooting efficiency proved decisive. The Rockets shot 42.9% from the field (27 of 63) and a solid 31.6% from three-point range (6 of 19), while Southern Mississippi managed just 37.9% shooting overall (25 of 66) and a dismal 9.1% from deep.

The game was a tale of contrasting offensive rhythms. Toledo established control early, leading 15-8 after the first quarter and 33-26 at halftime. Southern Mississippi, however, chipped away in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 51-45 entering the final period. The Lady Eagles’ defense and activity kept them within striking distance, but their inability to generate consistent perimeter scoring and Toledo’s clutch plays down the stretch were the ultimate difference.

Toledo’s offensive rating of 103.3 points per 100 possessions outpaced Southern Mississippi’s 89.9, highlighting the Rockets’ more effective use of their possessions. Both teams were nearly even in points in the paint, with Southern Mississippi holding a slight 40-38 edge.

The win provided Toledo momentum as it returns to Mid-American Conference play. The Rockets are scheduled to host Ohio on Tuesday. Southern Mississippi, which has lost three of its last four, looks to rebound in Sun Belt Conference action when it hosts Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday.