TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Despite a game-high 18 points from Alex Shorts, Toledo defeated Miami 76-62 in the MAC opener for both teams Wednesday (Jan. 3). Greg Stempin, a two-time all-MAC honoree, and freshman point guard Terry Reynolds scored 17 points each for the Rockets.

Toledo now has won 11 consecutive regular-season MAC games dating to last season. The RedHawks, meanwhile, have dropped four successive games following a 73-64 upset of nationally ranked Notre Dame on Dec. 9.

Stempin made 5-of-7 3-pointers, including three in the opening five-plus minutes, that gave Toledo a 17-6 lead. Reynolds, who sank 6-of-10 field goals, led all players with eight assists. Rory Jones came off the bench to score 12 points and Nick Moore made three 3-pointers for 11 points for the Rockets (9-3, 1-0 in the Mid-American Conference).

"Stempin is a great player," said Miami coach Charlie Coles. "I think most people know we recruited him extremely hard, but he wanted to stay closer to home (Michigan). If we could have had him for two years with Wally, that would have been quite a team."

A free throw by Doug Davis brought Miami to within 28-26 with seven minutes left in the first half, but Toledo went on a 16-5 run, which included two more treys from Stempin, to take a 44-31 halftime lead.

Shorts led the RedHawks' shooting by sinking 7-of-11 from the field. Jason Grunkemeyer, coming off the bench for the first time this season, made 4-of-5 shots from the field, including two 3-pointers for 10 points for Miami (4-8, 0-1).

"We played better than we did on Saturday (vs. UNC Wilmington)," said Coles. "We just need to keep getting better. Toledo is an excellent club -- I think they're a top-25-type team."

Miami outrebounded Toledo 36-24, but the Rockets made twice as many free throws, 16-8.

The RedHawks return to action Saturday, hosting MAC favorite Marshall at 4 p.m.