ROCHESTER, Mich. -  The Oakland women's basketball team celebrates Facility Appreciation Night on Valentine's Day against IUPUI on Thursday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. presented by Farm Bureau Insurance. The Golden Grizzlies conclude their two-game home stand against UIC on Women in Sports Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. presented by the Oakland University Credit Union. Fans are encouraged to wear pink. Both games will be broadcast live from the Blacktop at the O'rena on ESPN+ and ESPN3 respectively with Brad Golder on the call.
 
Scouting the Jags: IUPUI is 15-9 overall and sits fourth at 9-4 in league play. The Jaguars are led by sophomore Mace Williams who has picked up where she left off after being named Horizon League Freshman of the Year last season. She leads the conference in scoring (17.4 ppg) and ranks third in rebounds (8.4 rpg).
 
Last Time vs IUPUI: Kahlaijah Dean scored 13 points with four rebounds, three assists and three steals while Taylor Jones also added 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting as Oakland fell at IUPUI, 82-53, on Jan. 13. IUPUI has won the last five meetings with Oakland leading the all-time series 24-16.
 
At look at the Flames UIC is 3-21 on the season and 1-12 in conference play. The Flames are led by senior Brittany Bird who leads the team and ranks third in the league in scoring (15.7 ppg).
 
Season rewind vs UIC: The Flames won a 69-65 overtime thriller against Oakland back on Jan. 11. 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. Mercy Agwaniru accounted for a career-high five of the Golden Grizzlies' season-high nine blocks defensively. The setback snapped Oakland's seven-game win streak against UIC but the Golden Grizzlies still lead the overall series 9-5.
 
Notes:
 
Dean Repeats as Nike ® Freshman of the Week: Kahlaijah Dean scored a career-high 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting hitting a career-best 9-of-12 from 3-point range just missing the school game record of 10 with seven rebounds and two steals leading Oakland to a 76-65 Metro Series win at arch-rival Detroit Mercy on Saturday for the team's first road win of the season. Her 30-point effort was the highest women's basketball performance since Bethany Watterworth scored 32 points at American on Nov. 15, 2011.
 
Dean on Fire: Over the past three games, Dean has averaged 27.3 ppg shooting a staggering 30-for-46 (65.2%) from the field and 18-of-29 (62.1%) from 3-point range. She ranks 11th in scoring (11.8 ppg) and has scored 20 points or more four times including 20 at Bradley (12/1), 29 at YSU (1/31), 23 at CSU (2/2) and 30 at UDM (2/9) and has reached double figures 11 times. In conference-only stats, she ranks fifth in scoring (13.3 ppg) second in 3-point field goal percentage (44.9) and 3-points field goals made (35 - 2.9).
 
Tungate Sidelined: Due to recent medical issues with his back, head coach Jeff Tungate has missed coaching the last three games. His doctors have recommended he take time to rest and they will continue to reevaluate the situation. Tungate will remain sidelined until the doctors clear his return. Associate Head Coach Eric Stephan will continue to serve as acting head coach until Tungate returns.
 
Gettin' Buckets: Taylor Jones is tied for fourth in the league in scoring (13.9 ppg). She has scored 20 points or more five times this season including 26 vs Grace Christian (11/6), 20 at CMU (11/8), 23 at Kent State (11/18), 21 at UIC (1/11), 21 at UDM (2/9) totaling 23 times for her career and has reached double-digits in scoring 77 times.
 
3-Point Bombs Away: Dean leads the league in 3-point field goal percentage (40.5) and is second in 3-point field goals made (51 – 2.3 ave.) while LaKyesha Stennis is tied for fourth (41) As a team, Oakland is sixth in 3-point field goal made per game (6.2) and in 3-point field goals made (133).
 
Block Party: Oakland ranks second in the league in block shots (95) and blocked shots per game (4.10) which ranks 44th and 60th respectively in the nation. Individually, Mercy Agwaniru (1.1) leads the team and ranks fourth in the league while Kayla Luchenbach (0.8) is tied for seventh and Nikita Telesford (0.6) is tied at 14th.



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