Led by Leroy Blyden, Jr.’s 36-point performance, including 27 points in the second half, the University of Toledo turned a nine-point deficit into a five-point, 84-79 home win over Western Michigan to open up Mid-American Conference play on Tuesday.
Toledo (7-6, 1-0 MAC) needed every bit of that offensive explosion, too, as it found itself down 41-32 at the midway point before closing the game out on a 52-38 run. The freshman Blyden also knocked down three 3s and grabbed five boards as well.
The win came despite shooting worse from the field than WMU (44.1-43.8), going just 4-for-25 from behind the three-point line, and being outrebounded 43-41.