DETROIT - Kahlaijah Dean scored a career-high 30 points hitting a blistering 9-of-12 from 3-point range just missing the school game record of 10 to lead Oakland to a 76-65 Metro Series win at arch-rival Detroit Mercy on Saturday. Dean's 30 point effort is the highest since Bethany Watterworth scored 32 at American on Nov. 15, 2011. With the win, the Golden Grizzlies swept the season series over the Titans and have won the last four meetings. 

Detroit native Taylor Jones added 21 points with eight rebounds, four assists and four steals in her final game at Calihan Hall. Teneea Heston dished out a career-high six assists with five points and six rebounds. Nikita Telesford chipped in with eight points and game-high nine rebounds while Autumn Kissman also had eight points with four boards.   

Oakland (5-18, 2-10 HL) saved its best for last outscoring Detroit Mercy (3-20, 1-11 HL) 24-18 in the fourth quarter to secure the win snapping an eight-game skid. For the game, the Golden Grizzlies shot a season-best 10-for-19 (52.6%) from behind the arc. 

UDM opened the second half on a 10-0 run to move ahead 42-34. Oakland responded with a 11-0 run to regain the lead at 45-42. The Golden Grizzlies closed out the third quarter with a 52-47 advantage.

After trailing 13-8 at the end of the first quarter, a layup and 3-pointer by Jones capped off a 12-0 run giving Oakland the lead 29-22 at the 2:38 mark of the second quarter. The Titans responded with a 10-0 run of their own to move ahead 32-29. Dean hit a 3-pointer followed by a steal and breakaway layup by Heston to put the Golden Grizzlies up 34-32 at the break.

Oakland returns to the O'rena for a Valentine's Day game against IUPUI on Thursday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.





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