DETROIT -- Jaevin Cumberland led all scorers with 24 points and hit six three-pointers as the Oakland men's basketball team defeated rival Detroit Mercy 79-73 at Calihan Hall on Saturday.

Xavier Hill-Mais scored 22 points, pulled down five rebounds and dished out three assists.

Brad Brechting and Karmari Newman each added eight points and grabbed career highs in rebounds with nine.

Oakland (9-11, 5-2 HL) jumped out to a 10-2 lead early in the game forcing three Detroit Mercy turnovers. The Golden Grizzlies held the Titans to just 15 percent shooting in the first half (2 of 13). Overall, the Titans were held to 23 percent shooting from beyond the arc (6 of 26).

Oakland headed into the second half with a 39-33 lead as both teams exchanged baskets and kept it close until Oakland went on a 15-3 run, owning a 17 point lead with just under six minutes to play.

The Titans (8-12, 5-2 HL) made a comeback, cutting the Oakland lead to 76-73 with 22 seconds remaining, but free throws from Cumberland, Tray Maddox Jr. and Braden Norris sealed the win for the Golden Grizzlies.

Oakland has won four straight games over the Titans and at Calihan Hall. The Golden Grizzlies have also won 10 of the last 13 meetings against Detroit Mercy dating back to 2001 and are 9-2 in the series since joining the Horizon League in 2013.

Oakland now leads the Metro Series standings 10-2.





#WEARtheBEAR