Dec. 19, 2008

Box Score

Cozumel, Mexico - Junior Melissa Jeltema had her fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds, sophomore Brittany Carnago had 12 points and three blocks and junior Hanna Reising netted 10 points as the Oakland University women's basketball team (7-3) defeated the University of Texas-San Antonio (2-6) in their opening game of the Cozumel Cup by a score of 70-57.

"They were a very quick team and it was a great game for us," said head coach Beckie Francis. "I was really proud of how our defense had stop after stop at crucial moments. I really want to credit our discipline and conditioning because they got it done when they needed to."

The Golden Grizzlies were down by as many as nine points in the first, down 11-2. But OU started a 17-7 run, which was capped off by a jump shot at 8:28 by freshman Sharise Calhoun, which gave the Golden Grizzlies their first lead of the game 19-18. Scoring would continue to see-saw between the two teams as the half progressed, with neither team leading by more than three points.

Oakland looked to go into the locker room with a 28-28 tie off a 3-pointer from Jeltema with 22 seconds to go. But UTSA fired back with a lay-up just as time expired, giving the Roadrunners a 30-28 lead at the half.

After the game's fifth tie at 42-42 with 9:53 to go, the Golden Grizzlies took the lead for good with a Jeltema lay up at 9:27. From there, Oakland had control for the remainder of the game, bringing the lead all the way to 13 with 2:45 to go. UTSA attempted a comeback in the closing minutes, cutting the lead to nine with 46 seconds to go. But OU fought through and took another 13 point lead to end the game.

Calhoun also had a strong night off the bench, finishing the night with nine points and four assists. OU improved on their shooting in the second half, improving from 39 percent to 46 percent and they clamped down on defense, holding the Roadrunners to 27 points in the second half while the Golden Grizzlies put up 42.

Oakland also held the advantage in defense rebounds, 38-26, with Jeltema leading the way with for both teams with 10. Oakland will conclude play in Cozumel when they take on the University of South Carolina Upstate on Saturday, Dec. 20. Tip is scheduled for an 8:30 p.m. EST start.

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