VALPARAISO, Ind. – Toledo's frantic rally in the final minute fell just short on Tuesday evening in the Rockets' 79-77 defeat at Valparaiso in the season opener for both schools.
Junior led Toledo with a career-high 27 points and seven assists, including two free throws to knot the score at 77-all with 13 seconds remaining. The Crusaders' Javon Freeman-Liberty broke the deadlock though by hitting a jumper just inside the free-throw line with four seconds left to give Valpo the victory. The Rockets weren't able to get a last-second shot off before the buzzer sounded.
"We fought hard tonight and came back to tie but Valpo made a play at the end," Head Coach said.