Dec. 22, 2008

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YPSILANTI, Mich. - Senior Erik Kangas drilled six 3-pointers and scored a game-high 25 points, while junior Johnathon Jones added 15 points and five assists, to lead Oakland University (8-6) to a 66-53 victory over Eastern Michigan (2-9) in men's basketball action on Monday night at the Convocation Center.

Also in double figures for the Grizzlies was sophomore Keith Benson, scoring 10 points with a team-high six rebounds. Oakland has now won three straight against the Eagles and seven of its last nine games.

"I was very pleased," said OU coach Greg Kampe. "We made some adjustments, we weren't very good on offense most of the game, but (Erik) Kangas was huge when we needed him and JJ (Johnathon Jones) did a good job running the show for us. It's just another good solid win for us."

In double figures for the Eagles was sophomore Brandon Bowdry with 17 points and junior Justin Dobbins added 10 points and eight rebounds.

The Golden Grizzlies never trailed in the game and led by double digits for the first time in the second half at the 14:15 minute mark, 44-33. With OU up just six points, 48-42, Kangas drilled a 3-pointer and was fouled to convert the unusual four-point play to extend the lead back to double digits, 52-42, with 8:35 left in the game.

"This is a big win, it helps us accomplish one of our goals to be over .500 in non-league games," said Kangas. "We wanted to get this win to feel good heading into Christmas and we did that."

That would be enough as the Grizzlies pushed the lead all the way to 15 points with just under a minute left and held on to win by 13 points. OU lost the battle of the glass 37-31 and committed 14 turnovers to EMU's 19.

"We played one of the toughest schedules in the country and this gives us a winning non-league record," said Kampe. "We've played just two games in our gym, traveled across the country and back, and we have a winning record. So I can't be more excited about my team."

Some other good news for Oakland was that senior all-league player Derick Nelson made his debut after suffering a broken foot back on Nov. 13. Nelson played just eight minutes, going 0-for-3, with two rebounds and one assist.

"I found out when we were getting on the bus," said Nelson. "I was excited, but knew that it could possibly be bad, as it was when I got into the game. But I haven't done anything since I got injured."

The Golden Grizzlies will face No. 11/18 Michigan State this Saturday at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Game time is set for 5 p.m. and will be nationally televised on FSN.

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