March 6, 2010

Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Oakland University (24-8) knocked down six of its first seven 3-pointers and had five players in double figures as the Golden Grizzlies upended UMKC (12-18), 85-70, in quarterfinal action at The Summit League Tournament on Saturday in Sioux Falls Arena. Junior Larry Wright led all scorers with 16 points.

"Our bench was really good tonight," said OU coach Greg Kampe. "I expected us to play well and we did. Derick (Nelson) got hurt early and we had guys step up and make shots."

Junior Keith Benson posted his 17th double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Senior Derick Nelson had 14 points, despite missing the entire first half due to an injury, and senior Johnathon Jones added 13 points and six assists. Sophomore Blake Cushingberry scored 10 points, while freshman Ledrick Eackles tallied nine points off the bench, including a thunderous alley-oop dunk in the second half.

OU tied a single-season school record with its 24th win tonight. The Golden Grizzlies also matched their school record 9-game winning streak and appear in the semifinals for the fourth straight season.

The Golden Grizzlies trailed for just 13 seconds and led by as many as 22 points in the second half. Oakland shot 56 percent (30-54) for the game and 42 percent from beyond the arc (8-19). OU also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Kangaroos 46-23.

Oakland looked to have the game in control early with an 11-point lead, 28-17, with 10:18 left until halftime. Then the Kangaroos went on a 9-0 run over four minutes as the Grizzlies led 28-26 (6:57). OU responded with a 6-0 run and took a 10-point lead, 45-35, at the half.

Nelson came back in the second half and scored 12 of his 14 points in the final 20 minutes as the Golden Grizzlies held a double-digit lead throughout the second tilt.

The Golden Grizzlies will face the winner of No. 4 seed South Dakota State (14-15) and No. 5 seed IPFW (15-14) on Monday night in the first semifinal game at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be regionally-televised on FS Detroit and will also air on OU's flagship station WDFN-AM (1130).

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