CHICAGO - Taylor Jones grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds while scoring a game-high 21 points with six assists and three steals while Kahlaijah Dean added 14 points as Oakland fell in an overtime thriller at UIC, 69-65, on Friday night. Mercy Agwaniru accounted for a career-high five of the Golden Grizzlies' season-high nine blocks defensively. 

Oakland also matched season-bests in steals (18), led by a career-mark of four by Teneea Heston, and rebounds (58) aided by 11 from Chloe Guingrich.  

After a slow start, Oakland (4-11, 1-3 HL) used a 16-4 run to take its first lead of the game (34-33) at the 3:14 mark of the third quarter and went on to outscore UIC (3-13, 1-4 HL) 25-7 for the frame taking a 45-36 lead into the final quarter.

Despite holding UIC without a field goal for over six minutes in the fourth quarter, Oakland saw its six point lead, (55-49) with just 55 seconds remaining, disappear due to costly turnovers which allowed the Flames to tie the game at 55 all with 12 seconds left. After a missed free UIC throw, Jones made a strong move to the hoop but her layup attempt rolled around the cylinder and didn't fall in. Nikita Telesford grabbed the offensive rebound but could not connect on the put back attempt as time expired.

In overtime, Jones hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 61-61 with 1:18 remaining. After a forced UIC turnover allowed Oakland to regain possession, the Golden Grizzlies turned the ball back over which the Flames converted to take a 63-61 lead with 48 seconds left. After Jones split a pair of free throws to pull within a point, UIC went 6-for-7 from the charity stripe down the stretch to close out the game.  

Oakland travels to IUPUI on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. 

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