Jan. 5, 2012
Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery 
Western Illinois
(8-5, 3-2) | | 1st | 2nd | F | | Western Illinois | 33 | 38 | 71 | Oakland
| 33 | 28 | 61 | |
| OAKLAND
(8-10, 2-4) |
Postgame Press Conference | OU vs WIU Highlights | | Stat Comparison | Western Illinois
| Oakland | | Points | 71 | 61 | | FG Made-Attempted | 25-43 | 19-46 | | Field Goal Pct | 58.1 | 41.3 | | 3P Made-Attempted | 6-14 | 7-20 | | 3P Field Goal Pct | 42.9 | 35.0 | | FT Made-Attempted | 15-19 | 16-19 | | Free Throw Pct | 78.9 | 84.2 | | Rebounds | 26 | 23 | | Turnovers | 16 | 20 |
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ROCHESTER, Mich. - Reggie Hamilton finished with 16 points and Drew Valentineadded 15 as Oakland (8-10, 2-4) dropped its sixth straight game, 71-61, to Western Illinois (8-5, 3-2) in Summit League men's basketball action on Thursday inside the Athletics Center O'rena. The Golden Grizzlies dropped three consecutive games at home for the first time since 2004-05.
"It's 18 games into the season and changing up the lineup is not the greatest thing in the world, but that's where we are at," said OU coach Greg Kampe. "I thought Kyle (Sikora) played pretty (well). I know they did not start the second half well and that worries me, so we might need one more scorer out there, but we will take a look at that."
Travis Bader went 4 of 8 from beyond the arc and finished with 13 points for the Grizzlies. Oakland used its third different starting lineup tonight, first in six games, with Hamilton, Valentine, Ryan Bass, Kyle Sikora and Dante Williams.
WIU had four players in double figures, led by Ceola Clark's 19 points. Tommie Tyler and Terell Parks each scored 16, while Obi Emegano tallied 11 points for the Leathernecks.
Despite being outshot 62 to 39 percent, the Golden Grizzlies rallied to tie the score at 33 at the end of the first half. The Golden Grizzlies would never lead in the second half as the Leathernecks extended their lead to double digits and snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Grizzlies.
Oakland finished with 20 turnovers and posted just six assists on 19 baskets. The Leathernecks shot 58 percent (25-43) in the game and outrebounded the Golden Grizzlies 26-23.
OU will host IUPUI (8-9, 2-3) on Saturday inside the O'rena for a 6 p.m. tip. The game can be followed via live stats at OUgrizzlies.com.
-OAKLAND BASKETBALL-
