Nov. 26, 2008

Box Score | Quotes

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Senior Jessica Pike scored 20 points, sophomore Brittany Carnago added 19, while senior April Kidd added 16, and the Oakland University women's basketball team (3-2) used a 22-0 run to open the contest to create some breathing room, as the Golden Grizzlies withstood a furious late charge by Siena, taking an 87-67 victory over the Saints on Wednesday at the Athletics Center O'Rena.

"After playing Georgia at home and having a three-point loss to a top-25 team, then going to Purdue and playing them tough in the first half and only being down 10, then losing there, we were hungry," said head coach Beckie Francis. "You could probably tell that by the way we came out in the first half. It was really nice seeing the whole team hungry and not having a let-down when we went to the bench. Everybody contributed and I was really proud of them."

The Golden Grizzlies created space with their opening run, holding Siena off the board until the 13:26 mark. Oakland pushed its lead to as many as 26 (33-7) with 7:38 remaining in the contest; however, Siena began to close the gap in the closing seconds of the half, as a 3-pointer by Allie Lindemann pulled the Saints to within 19 (44-25) at intermission.

After trading buckets over the first few minutes of the half, Siena narrowed the gap to 15 after another 3-pointer, this one coming at the hands of Charlieann Chacon, but again the Golden Grizzlies pulled their lead to 22 after a free throw by Kidd.

OU led by 20 after Melissa Jeltema hit a layup with 6:33 remaining, but the Saints used a pair of rapid-fire 3-pointers to narrow the gap to 14 (75-61) with 4:37 remaining. However, the Golden Grizzlies were able to hold off the late charge, converting on all their free throws in the final five minutes of the contest to seal the victory.

OU held a 56.1 percent to 39.4 percent advantage from the floor, while the Golden Grizzlies outrebounded Siena 41-30. OU forced 20 Siena turnovers. The Golden Grizzlies converted 21 of 29 opportunities from the charity stripe, while the Saints hit 10 of 32 3-pointers.

The Golden Grizzlies will return home to face St. Bonaventure on Sunday, Nov. 30. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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