Nov. 10, 2009

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ROCHESTER, Mich. - Juniors Larry Wright and Will Hudson led a charge of six Golden Grizzlies in double figures with 16 points to lead the Oakland University men's basketball team to a rout over Division III Hope College, 97-62, in exhibition action on Tuesday night inside the Athletics Center O'Rena. The Golden Grizzlies will open regular season on Saturday versus Eastern Michigan at 7 p.m. ET.

"It's the first exhibition in 26 years that I have not been mad at anybody," said OU coach Greg Kampe. "They are a traditional power (DIII) and are very well coached. I'm very pleased with our performance."

Oakland outshot the Flying Dutchmen 53 percent (36-66) to 42 percent (22-55). The much taller Golden Grizzlies almost doubled Hope up on the boards, 44-25.

Joining Hudson and Wright in double figures was senior Derick Nelson with 15 points, while freshman Drew Valentine added 14 points. Junior Keith Benson added 13 points and sophomore Blake Cushingberry had 10 points. Hudson and Valentine led the Golden Grizzlies on the glass with seven boards each.

Hope had two players reach double figures as junior Will Bowser scored a game-high 17 points, while freshman Josh Holwerda scored 11 for the Flying Dutchmen.

The game was never in doubt as the Golden Grizzlies began the game on a 16-4 run just under five minutes into the game. Oakland would push the lead all the way to 20 points at the half, 51-31.

The lead grew all the way to a game-high 38 points and was led by Valentine in the final 20 minutes with all of his 14 points and seven boards in the second half.

OU will host Eastern Michigan on Saturday night inside the O'Rena. The Golden Grizzlies will put their 14-game home winning streak on the line.

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