Toledo routs Northern Illinois 70-46

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Matt Smith scored 16 points as Toledo crushed Northern Illinois 70-46 Tuesday night to snap a two-game skid and move into a tie for first in the Mid-American Conference West Division.

Smith also blocked a career-high five shots for the Rockets (14-13, 9-6), who used a 13-0 run to lead 18-5, then maintained a double-digit cushion.

The Huskies (5-23, 3-12) have lost nine straight, starting with a 69-64 loss to the Rockets on Feb. 2. Toledo swept the season series for the first time since 2006-07.

Dominique Buckley added 13 points and Rian Pearson contributed 10 for the Rockets, now tied with Western Michigan following the Broncos’ 89-85 loss to Ball State.

Smith and Buckley each hit three 3-pointers as Toledo shot 10 of 28 from 3-point range compared to 3 of 10 for Northern Illinois.

Aksel Bolin, with 14 points, was the only Huskies player in double figures.