Jan. 30, 2010

Box Score | Notes |

MACOMB, Ill. - Junior Larry Wright knocked down a big 3-pointer with 26 seconds left in the game and finished with 19 points to lead Oakland University (16-8, 10-1) to a close 68-64 win over Western Illinois (8-13, 2-9) on Saturday night in Summit League men's basketball action. The Golden Grizzlies have now won nine straight inside Western Hall.

"That is probably the biggest shot of Larry's (Wright) career at Oakland," said OU coach Greg Kampe. "You have to give them credit that they kept fighting when it looked like it could have gone to 15 or 20 points there. He (Jim Molinari) is a great coach and had them ready to play tonight."

Junior Keith Benson scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and had four blocks, while senior Derick Nelson scored 14 points and had six boards.

Oakland shot a season-high 64 percent from three (9-14) and held the Fighting Leathernecks to just 25 percent (2-8) from long range. The Grizzlies struggled from the free throw line, finishing the game at 63 percent (19-30).

The Golden Grizzlies maintained an eight-point lead through the first 11 minutes and extended that to 11 points on a 3-pointer by Wright as the score advanced to 28-17 with just over seven minutes left in the first half. The Fighting Leathernecks climbed back within four points (36-32) on consecutive baskets by James Granstra. Nelson then split a pair of free throws to end a 5-0 run for WIU and Oakland took a 37-32 at the break.

With a four-point lead, the Grizzlies got baskets from Benson and Jones to push the lead back to eight points, 47-39, with 13:36 on the clock. The Fighting Leathernecks got as close as one point (58-57) and Granstra had a chance to give them their first lead of the game with two free throws, but split the pair and tied the game at 58-58 with 2:45 left.

Benson was there again for the Golden Grizzlies as he took the feed in the post and went up strong to score the basket and was fouled, but missed the free throw as the lead was back to two, 60-58. A foul was called on junior Will Hudson on what looked like a tie up, but WIU's David Nurse went to the line and converted both to tie the game once again.

Sophomore Drew Maynard took a pass from Benson in the corner and drilled a huge 3-pointer with 1:51 left in the game to give the Grizzlies a three-point lead, 63-60. Granstra was left all alone under the basket and brought the Leathernecks back within one point. After an air ball by Benson, Nelson picked up an offensive rebound and was fouled, making both to extend the lead back to three, 65-62 with 59 seconds remaining.

Granstra converted a pair of free throws at the other end after being fouled to make the score 65-64, but OU again had an answer as this time Wright buried a 3-pointer with 26 seconds to give Oakland its sixth road league win, a new school record.

OU will host its second-ever Homecoming event this week, Feb. 4-7. The Golden Grizzlies will take on Centenary College 7-14, 2-8) on Thursday night, 7 p.m., inside the Athletics Center O'Rena.