ROCHESTER, Mich. – Check out this inside look at the latest news about the Oakland women's basketball team, staff and alumni on and off the court.
TWEET OF THE WEEK: PRACTICE? WE TALKIN' BOUT PRACTICE!!
The first official day of practice was Oct. 14 and the squad was ready to go!!
DID YOU KNOW…
Oakland women's basketball has had 10 All-Americans in program history spanning across four decades?
INSIDE PRACTICE WITH COACH TUNGATE:
With the first week of practice in the books, Head Coach
Jeff Tungate shares his thoughts about how the team is looking so far and the work put in by
Autumn Kissman and
Kayla Luchenbach.
POSITION SPOTLIGHT: COMING UP BIG DOWN LOW
We caught up with senior center
Autumn Kissman who checked in after practice to discuss her summer workouts, team expectations and role as a leader on the team. Last season, Kissman ranked third on the team in field goal percentage (44.2) and reached double figures in eight games with two double-doubles. She posted first career double-double by with a career-high 19 points with 11 rebounds, hit first career 3-pointer and matched career-best with eight field goals vs Green Bay (1/9/20).
Getting to Know Autumn…
Why Oakland? The Academics and my teammates
Nickname: Kiss or AK
Favorite quote to live by: "Inch by inch, life's a cinch, yard by yard, it's really hard"
Favorite movie: Hoosiers
Dream job as a kid: Artist
If you can be any animal, what would you be: Koala Bear
Greatest invention of all time: Microwave
Favorite vacation spot: Cancun, Mexico
What are you most proud of: Scholarship
Biggest Role Model: Dad
Best concert attended: Chris Brown
Junior forward
Kayla Luchenbach also checked in to discuss her summer workouts, team expectations and what it is going to take to have a break out season. Last season, Luchenbach led the team in blocks (14), ranked fourth on the team in scoring (8.7 ppg) while scoring in double figures 11 times. She posted a career-high 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 5-of-6 from the free throw line while hitting her career 3-pointer at St. Bonaventure (12/15). Luchenbach also recorded first career double-double with 17 points, career-high free throws made (7), and matched career-high 10 rebounds at #15 MSU (11/19).
Getting to Know Kayla…
Why Oakland? Family atmosphere and close to home
Favorite quote to live by: "It's a good day to have a good day"
Favorite movie: Miracle
Pregame superstition: Listen to music
Favorite vacation spot: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
First thing you would buy if you hit the lottery: Mansion on a lake
Biggest Role Model: Mom and Dad
Best concert attended: Flo'Rida, Nelly and TLC
Most used social media app: Snapchat
Favorite TV Show: Power
Top-10 Bucket List item: Travel the world
Best advice given to you: Love yourself first
Favorite Pro Athlete: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
ALUMNI CHECK IN: BOND, CIERRA BOND (18')
Hometown: Inkster, Mich.
Women's Basketball Accomplishments:
- Saw action in 59 game with 31 starts in two-year career.
- In her senior year, Bond posted 19 points, five 3-pointers, six rebounds, four assists and four steals helping Oakland to the program's first Horizon League Tournament win vs UIC (3/1/18).
- She ranked third in 3-point FG made per game (2.1), 10th in 3-points FG percentage (35.5%), 15th in the Horizon League in steals (1.3) and 25th in scoring (10.5).
- Scored career-high in points (25), field goals made (9) and 3-pointers (6) vs NKU (1/6/18)
Life after Oakland…
"Since my time at Oakland, I have worked for Amazon, assisted in coaching high school girl's basketball while also pursuing my dream as an independent business owner."
What Oakland means to her…
"My experience at Oakland was truly an amazing adventure! The family foundation has given me so many wonderful relationships with great people that I still have and cherish today. OU has allowed me to see a different strength in myself that I couldn't see alone and I am grateful for that. OU also has helped mold me into the women I am and I couldn't imagine being a part of a better culture. Thank you OU!!
🐻 ♥️ #goldengrizzlies #Oualumni #proudgoldengrizzly"
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