ROCHESTER, Mich. - Nikita Telesford scored a team-high 17 points for the second time this season just missing her career-high by one point as Oakland dropped a heartbreaking 64-62 decision in the final seconds to Cleveland State in the Horizon League opener on Friday night at the O'rena. Brianna Breedy dished a career-high eight assists while Mercy Agwaniru grabbed a career-best four steals while matching a career-mark with four blocks.

Taylor Jones added 15 points while Teneea Heston had 10 points off the bench equaling a career-best with four assists. Chloe Guingrich also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds while matching a career-mark with four steals.

Telesford connected on a layup with 46 seconds left to tie the score at 62-62. Oakland (3-9, 0-1 HL) forced a Cleveland State (4-8, 1-0 HL) turnover to gain possession for the final shot. After Telesford could not connect on a contested layup with five seconds left, Oakland was called for a foul going for the rebound with just two seconds remaining. CSU's Savanna Crockett hit a pair of free throws to seal the game as the Golden Grizzlies could not advance the inbound ball to half court for a last second shot attempt due to not having any timeouts left.

After both teams scored 17 points in the first quarter, Oakland went on a 10-0 run holding CSU scoreless over the final 5:38 of the second half to take a 35-26 lead into the locker room.

CSU opened the second half on a 13-2 of their own to retake the lead at 39-37 with five minutes left in the third quarter and went on to outscore the Golden Grizzlies 21-8 in the frame.

With the score tied at 47-47, Oakland once again responded with a 11-0 run to take a 54-47 lead before CSU rallied to tie the score at 60-60 with 1:11 to go setting up the dramatic finish.

Oakland hosts league-leading Youngstown State on Sunday, Dec. 30 at 3 p.m.





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