ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Oakland women's basketball team kicks off the 2020-21 campaign against No. 25 Michigan for the home opener on Friday, Nov. 27 at 6 pm. The game will be broadcast live from the Blacktop at the O'rena on ESPN+ with Jason Ross Jr. on the call. The Golden Grizzlies then travel to Toledo on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. with the game being broadcast live from Savage Arena on ESPN3.
Notes:
Season Rewind: Oakland looks to improve on the 2019-20 campaign after finishing with a 11-19 overall record and 6-12 conference mark. The Golden Grizzlies entered the Horizon League Tournament as the No. 8 seed and fell in a hard-fought battle at No. 5 seed Milwaukee (75-65) to end the season.
A look at the Wolverines: Michigan leads the all-time series against Oakland, 10-4, having won the last four meetings. The Wolverines return four starters from last season led by junior forward Naz Hillmon who led the team in scoring (17.4 ppg), rebounds (8.7 rpg) and was named Preseason Big Ten Co-Player of the Year. She is currently on watch lists for the Wade Trophy, Naismith Trophy and Katrina McClain Award. Junior guard Amy Dilk led the team in assists (4.5).
Scouting the Rockets: Oakland leads the all-time series against the Toledo, 7-3, with the Rockets winning the last meeting (64-36) on Dec. 10, 2010. UT is led by sophomore guard Quinesha Lockett in scoring (9.3 ppg) and rebounds (3.4 rpg) followed by sophomore guard Sophia Wiard who leads the squad in assists (1.9).
2020-21 Horizon League Preseason Poll: Oakland was picked ninth in the 2020-21 Horizon League Preseason Poll by the league office and voted on by the league's 12 head coaches.
Dean named Preseason All-Horizon League Second Team: Horizon League Sixth Player of the Year
Kahlaijah Dean was named to the Preseason All-Horizon League Second Team. Last season, Dean led the team in scoring (12.0 - 9th HL) and tied for the lead in assists (3.0 – 6th HL) coming off the bench while ranking second on the team and fourth in the league in free throw percentage (80.4). She scored in double figures 17 times including 11 consecutive games from UIC (1/4) through Milwaukee (2/14) and recorded
her second career double-double scoring a game-high and season second-best 22 points with 10 rebounds just missing her career mark by one board at Wright State (1/25).
Lucky Number 13: Oakland returns a total of 13 student-athletes from last year's squad. After sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, Temple transfer
Breanna Perry will make her long awaited season debut. The Golden Grizzlies have one freshman in
Lamariyee Williams who will look to make an immediate impact.
Tungate Returns: Head Coach
Jeff Tungate led Oakland to a 2-2 mark to open the 2019-20 season before taking a medical leave of absence to care for a recurring back issue in which he missed seven games during the 2018-19 season due to the same condition.
"It is great to be back and healthy again. Our staff did an outstanding job in my absence last year, but it feels good to be back on the court," said Tungate. "There is no greater feeling than being a part of a team and being around that team on a daily basis. This is a special group and I really missed them last year. I look forward to what's ahead for this team, and I'm thankful to have all my health issues behind me."
Returning Firepower: Sophomore
Alona Blackwell who was a Horizon League All-Freshman Team selection, garnered Nike® Horizon League Freshman of the Week honors three times in a four-week span last season. Since being inserted into the starting lineup against Detroit Mercy (2/1) last season, she scored in double figures 12 times including in 9-of-10 games averaging 12.6 ppg while shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from 3-point range). Blackwell finished fourth on the team in scoring (8.2 ppg) and led the team in 3-point field goals per game (1.7) which ranked eighth in the league.
Senior guard
Jalisha Terry tied for the team lead in assists (3.0 – 6th HL), ranked second in scoring (10.5 – 15th HL) and steals (1.0 – 23rd HL). Against Green Bay (1/9) and Milwaukee (1/11), Terry averaged 22.0 points, 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 11-for-27 (40.7%) and 18-for-22 (81.8%) from the free throw line. Against the Phoenix, Terry poured in a career-high 25 points going 3-for-6 from 3-point range and 5-for-12 from the field with three assists while connecting on 12-of-13 (92.3%) from the free throw line to help seal the win. She then added a game-high 19 points going 6-for-15 from the field and 6-for-9 from the free throw line with five rebounds and four assists against Milwaukee.
Senior guard
Chloe Guingrich led the team in field goal percentage (54.8), rebounds (6.4 -10th HL) and steals (38) and per while ranking second on team in blocks (14) scoring in double figures nine times with three double-doubles last season. This season, Coach Tungate is looking for her to play a more versatile role in the offense making the transition to a stretch forward playing both down low and along the perimeter.
Senior center
Autumn Kissman ranked third on the team in field goal percentage (44.2) while reaching double figures in eight games with two double-doubles. She stepped up in a big way when inserted into the starting lineup by posting her first two career double-doubles. Against, Green Bay (1/9) she poured in a career-best 19 points with 11 rebounds and followed with her second straight double-double scoring 13 points with a career-high 14 rebounds against Milwaukee (1/11). With her 16 points against CSU, she scored in double figures in four consecutive games.
Statistically Speaking: Oakland finished second in the Horizon League in free throw percentage (75.0) which also ranked 37th nationally.
Jalisha Terry ranked second in the league (84.7) and ranked 32nd nationally while Dean ranked fourth (80.4). Oakland went 30-for-34 against Green Bay (1/9) marking the first time the team made 30-plus free throws since posting 36 against Chicago State 21 years to the date on Jan. 9, 1999.
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