The day’s second semifinal featured a very slow start, with the two teams going a combined 2-12 from the field and 1-2 on free throws, resulting in a 3-3 tie halfway through the first quarter.
The slow start continued, and after seven and a half minutes the score was just 5-4 in favor of the Bulls.
The pace would pick up to close the quarter, with a total of 12 points being scored in the final two minutes and change, and after the first quarter, the Rockets had the 11-10 lead.
However, the game slowed back down in the second quarter, with five combined points in the first six minutes of the quarter, two going to Toledo and three to Buffalo, tying the game at 13-13.
The Bulls went on to score the half’s final seven points to take an 18-13 lead at halftime. The first half featured 25 combined turnovers and 13 made shots. At the break, Buffalo was eight for 26 from the field while Toledo was five for 24 and just one of ten in the second quarter.
The first five minutes of the third quarter featured a higher volume of scoring, with 16 points between the two teams, and Toledo cutting the lead to 26-23.
The Bulls later reclaimed a five-point lead, but the Rockets found their offensive stride, going on a 10-4 run to take their first lead since the first quarter.
The lead was short-lived as Buffalo would knock down a shot to take a 36-35 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Both teams made eight shots in the third quarter, but Toledo was able to close the gap thanks to five made free throws, whereas Buffalo had none.
After a first half that had 33 combined points, the two teams combined for 36 in the third quarter.
The Rockets went back on top early in the fourth quarter thanks to a three-point shot, and after the Bulls tied the game, Toledo scored three straight baskets to take a six-point lead with under six minutes remaining.
Having made just one shot from the field in over six minutes of play in the fourth quarter, Buffalo found itself down six and in need of a late push.
The Bulls got within three, but a Toledo three-pointer pushed the lead back up to six with two minutes remaining.
Buffalo would hit a free throw, but would get no closer, as the Rockets won 56-49 and booked a trip to their second conference championship game in two years where they will face Ball State Saturday at 11 a.m.