Jan. 2, 2010

Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Freshman Bethany Watterworth matched her career-high with 24 points, leading all players on the floor, and senior Melissa Jeltema extended her double-digit scoring streak to 28 consecutive games with 10 points as the Oakland University women's basketball team (4-9, 1-1 Summit League) defeated IUPUI (1-13, 0-3 Summit League) 75-40 Saturday afternoon at the Athletics Center O'Rena.

"This team practiced really hard all week like they were ready for conference play," said head coach Beckie Francis. "They played the way they practiced. They were hungry, they were smart, they were feisty, they executed and I'm just really proud of them."

The Golden Grizzlies got into a rhythm early, going on an 8-0 run in the half's first five minutes. The Jags would cut Oakland's lead down to three points on two occasions, but the Black and Gold exploded into a 13-0 run with eight minutes to go and led by as many as 19 points before going into the locker room with a 39-22 lead.

Oakland would continue to capitalize on IUPUI's game-high 34 turnovers in the second half, scoring 28 total points off of throwaways. The Golden Grizzlies would hold the Jags without a field goal the final five minutes and would lead by as many as 35 points, a margin that remained in the 75-40 final score.

In addition to Watterworth and Jeltema, two other Golden Grizzlies reached double figures. Junior Stacey Farrell notched 10 points and senior Hanna Reising also added 10 points and three assists. IUPUI had two players in double figures: Kerah Nelson (15) and Briannica Tye (11).

IUPUI out-rebounded Oakland 37-33, though OU held an 11-9 advantage on the offensive glass, and the Golden Grizzlies committed only 11 turnovers. Oakland also shot 44 percent from the field while the Jags shot 31 percent.

The Golden Grizzlies play one more game at home before heading out onto a two-game road trip with a contest against Western Illinois University on Monday, Jan. 4. Tip is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and can be followed either through All Access or Gametracker at www.ougrizzlies.com.

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