ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Oakland women's basketball team opens the Horizon League season with a pair games against Cleveland State and Youngstown State. The Golden Grizzlies and Vikings tip off on Friday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. for Motor City Madness Night followed by the Penguins on Sunday, Dec. 30 at 3 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live from the Blacktop at the O'rena on ESPN+ with Brad Golder on the call.
 
Notes:
Last Time Out: Kahlaijah Dean scored 14 points and grabbed a career-high six steals while Taylor Jones added a game-high 15 points as Oakland turned in a solid defensive effort with a season-best 18 steals en route to a 64-46 win over Rochester College last week.
 
At look at Vikings: Cleveland State finished the non-conference season with a 3-8 mark and is led by freshman Savanna Crockett who is averaging a double-double (11.8 ppg, 10.0 reb.) per game followed by sophomore Mariah White (11.8).
 
Scouting the Penguins: Youngstown State posted the league's best non-conference mark of 8-3 which included a win over Power-5 opponent Pittsburgh (64-55). The Penguins have four players averaging in double figures in scoring led by senior Alison Smolinski (13.5 ppg) followed by redshirt senior Sarah Cash (12.5), junior Mary Dunn (11.4) and sophomore Chelsea Olson (10.1).
 
Series Breakdowns: CSU hold a slim 6-5 series advantage and has won the last two meetings against Oakland. The Golden Grizzlies have won two of the last three meetings against YSU with the Penguins leading the all-time series 11-9.
 
Lockdown Defense: Against Rochester College, Oakland posted a season-best in steals (18) and opponent turnovers (30). On the season, the Golden Grizzlies have reached double digits in steals on four occasions while opponents have also committed 20 or more turnovers four times.
 
Grab and Go: The Golden Grizzlies lead the league in turnovers forced (18.00) and steals per game (8.90). Dean also ranks second in steals per game (1.9) while Taylor Jones is tied for fourth (1.8).
 
Return to Sender: Oakland ranks second in the league in block shots (4.20) per game which ranks 74th nationally. Individually, Mercy Agwaniru (0.8) leads the team and is tied for seventh in the league while Kayla Luchenbach (0.6), Chloe Guingrich (0.6) and Nikita Telesford (0.6) all are tied for 13th.
 
3-Point Bombs Away: LaKyesha Stennis ranks second the league in 3-point field goal percentage (38.2), 3-point field goals per game (2.6 – 77th nationally) and 3-point field goals made (29 – 74th nationally). As a team, Oakland is third in 3-point field goal made per game (6.8) and fourth in 3-point field goals made (75).
 
Pass/Protect the Rock: Brianna Breedy ranks second in conference in assist/turnover ratio (2.6) while team is sixth in assist/turnover ratio (0.7) and turnover margin (-.20).
 
Floor General: Taylor Jones leads the team in scoring (14.9), assists (3.4), and steals (1.8) and ranks 49th nationally in field goal attempts (173 total - 15.7 per/game).




#WEARtheBEAR