Jan. 5, 2009
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery 
ROCHESTER, Mich. - Senior Jessica Pike scored 17 points, senior April Kidd turned in a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double, while junior Melissa Jeltema turned in a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, to lead the Oakland University women's basketball team (11-4, 3-1 Summit League) to a wire-to-wire 67-51 victory over No. 21 South Dakota State (14-2, 3-1 Summit League) on Monday night at the Athletics Center O'Rena.
"I was really proud that this team prepared for this game in practice," said head coach Beckie Francis. "We always tell them that it's the practice sessions that get them ready. They've practiced really hard, they felt prepared and they just went out and executed. I just loved how they stayed focused and the whole 40 minutes and it was the whole team again and I want to give credit to the entire team. Our bench came in and did a really good job so our starters could close it off in the end."
The win marks the second consecutive year that the Golden Grizzlies have knocked off the 21st-ranked team in the country, as OU topped then-No. 21 Florida State 85-75 at the O'Rena on Dec. 2, 2008. The win gives Oakland three wins over ranked opposition since moving to Division I (Oakland also topped then-No. 15 Colorado State 77-71 at the O'Rena on Dec. 30, 2001). OU's three wins over ranked opposition are the most among current Summit League schools; only South Dakota State, with their 65-55 win over No. 25 Minnesota earlier this season has any wins over ranked opposition.
The Golden Grizzlies controlled the tempo of the game in the first half, racing out to an 8-0 lead before SDSU's Jennifer Warkenthien got the Jackrabbits on the board with a 3-pointer at the 16:17 mark. SDSU was able to narrow the gap to just one point (10-9) after Jill Young nailed a three, but OU quickly pushed the lead back to double digits, outscoring the Jacks 16-6 over the last ten minutes of the half to cruise into the intermission with an 18-point (33-15) lead.
OU held the Jacks without a field goal for the last 4:32 of the opening half.
South Dakota State raced back, chipping away at the Oakland lead through the first ten minutes of the half and pulling to within two points (51-49) as Warkenthien hit a layup at the 6:28 mark, but the Golden Grizzlies went on a 16-0 run, pushing the lead back to 18 (67-49) before the Jacks were able to get back on the board as Maria Boever hit a layup with eleven seconds remaining in the contest. During the scoreless stretch, South Dakota State missed eleven consecutive shots.
Sophomore Anna Patritto turned in her third consecutive double-figure effort, adding ten points to the winning effort. Sophomore Brittany Carnago turned in a solid defensive effort, turning in a four-rebound, four-assist, five-block, and career-best six-steal night for OU.
OU outshot the Jackrabbits 42.4 percent to 32.8 percent from the floor, and held a 45-33 advantage on the rebounding glass. The Golden Grizzlies forced 18 Jackrabbit turnovers in the winning effort.
The Golden Grizzlies will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 10, as they travel to Tulsa, Okla. for a Summit League tilt against Oral Roberts. Tip from the Mabee Center is set for 3:05 p.m.
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