ROCHESTER, Mich. - Jalisha Terry scored a team-high 18 points on 5-of-12 shooting and 6-for-6 from the free throw line followed by 15 points from Kahlaijah Dean as Oakland's fourth quarter rally fell short as the Golden Grizzlies dropped a 79-74 decision to Youngstown State on Faculty Appreciation Night on Thursday. Brianna Breedy and Autumn Kissman each added 10 points to round out the four players in double figures while Breanne Beatty grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

In the fourth quarter with Oakland (9-8, 3-3 HL) trailing 72-65, a double foul was called on Dean and YSU's (10-7, 4-2 HL) Jen Wendler who both got tangled up going for a rebound under the basket. Wender inadvertently connected with Dean in the head and was issued a technical foul. Terry hit both free throws and then hit a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to bring the Golden Grizzlies with one point, 72-70. Terry then added another pair of free throws followed by a layup from Chloe Guingrich capping off a 9-0 run to put Oakland ahead 74-72 with a 1:34 left to play. 

However, the lead would be short lived as YSU's Ny'Dajah Jackson hit a clutch 3-pointer to put the Penguins up by one. YSU then blocked Guingrich's shot attempt and Jackson followed with a layup to increase the lead to 77-74 with 20 seconds remaining. Out of a time out, Oakland was called for an illegal screen trying to setting a pic giving the ball back to YSU. Jackson added another pair of free throws scoring YSU's last seven points to seal the win.

For the game, Oakland had trouble solving YSU's zone defense only connecting on 4-of-17 (23.5%) from behind the arc and 23-for-64 (35.9%) from the field. Conversely, despite playing with a depleted line up, YSU shot a blistering 8-for-15 (53.3%) from 3-point range and 28-for-60 (46.7%) from the field which proved to be the difference.  

Both teams traded baskets back and forth over the first five minutes of the third quarter playing to a 50-50 tie. YSU was on a 10-4 run before Dean connected on an up and under scooping layup before the buzzer to pull Oakland within four points at 60-56.

Dean hit a 3-pointer just before the shot clock expired to open the second quarter giving Oakland its first lead of the game at 19-18. With the game tied at 30-30, Alona Blackwell connected on a 3-pointer followed by a conventual 3-point play by Breedy who hit a driving layup, was fouled and hit the ensuing free throw to put the Golden Grizzlies up by six at 36-30. YSU went on a 9-4 run to close out the half with the Oakland clinging to a one point lead, 40-39.

Oakland closes out their home stand against Cleveland State on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 3 p.m.





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