ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Oakland women's basketball team opens a six-game home stand against in-state rival Michigan State on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. for the ALS Awareness game presented by Campus Den. The game will be broadcast live from the Blacktop at the O'rena on ESPN+ with Brad Golder on the call.
Notes:
At look at Spartans: Michigan State enters the game against Oakland at 6-1 and is currently riding a three-game win streak after defeating Kennesaw State, Virginia and Texas Southern. The Spartans lead the all-time series 14-4 and have won the last 10 consecutive meetings. The Golden Grizzlies' last win over MSU was a 76-57 decision on Feb. 6, 1982.
Big Ten Trio: This marks the third consecutive season Oakland will play three opponents from the Big Ten Conference in Indiana (Nov. 11), Michigan State (Dec. 4) and Michigan (Dec. 9). Last season, the Golden Grizzlies traveled to Michigan, Michigan State and Northwestern. In 2016-17, Oakland opened the season at Michigan followed by at #22 MSU and at Indiana.
Jones Leading the Way: Senior
Taylor Jones leads the team in scoring (15.5), assists (3.8), rebounds (5.4) and steals (2.0) and ranks 22nd nationally in field goal attempts (16.4).
Dynamic Dean: Kahlaijah Dean poured in a career-high 20 points missing just one shot going 8-for-9 from the field and 4-for-5 from 3-point range in Oakland's 73-64 setback to Bradley (12/1).
Gettin' Buckets: Jones ranks fourth in the league in scoring (15.5 ppg). She has scored 20 points or more three times this season including 26 vs Grace Christian (11/6) in the season opener, 20 at CMU (11/8) and 23 at Kent State (11/18) totaling 21 times for her career and has reached double-digits in scoring 63 times.
Double-Doubles: Jones also recorded her second and third career double-doubles including 23 points and 11 rebounds at Kent State (11/18) and 16 points and career-high 13 rebounds vs Canisius (11/25).
Pass/Protect the Rock: Freshman
Brianna Breedy leads the conference in assist/turnover ratio (3.8) while the Golden Grizzlies are tied for third in assist to turnover ratio (0.9).
Return to Sender: Oakland leads the league in block shots (4.90) per game which ranks 33rd nationally. Individually,
Mercy Agwaniru (1.0) leads the team and is tied for fourth in the league (1.0) while
Kayla Luchenbach (0.8),
Chloe Guingrich (0.7) and
Nikita Telesford (0.7) all are tied for 12th.
Grab and Go: The Golden Grizzlies also rank second in the league in turnovers forced (17.50) and are tied for third in steals per game (8.00).
3-Point Bombs Away: Oakland is third in 3-point field goals made per game (7.5) while Stennis ranks second in 3-pointer made (2.9 - 55th nationally) and third in 3-point field goal percentage (45.1 - 27th nationally).
Dropping Dimes: Jones ranks third in the league in assists (3.8) and dished out a career-high nine assists against Grace Christian (11/6).
Brianna Breedy also ranks 10th in the league (2.8).
Guingrich ringing it up: Chloe Guingrich posted a career-high 16 points with seven rebounds in Oakland's win against Grace Christian. She also added 11 points just missing a double-double with nine rebounds at Illinois State (11/29).
#WEARtheBEAR
