TOLEDO, Ohio -  Alona Blackwell poured in a career-high 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting and 3-of-7 seven from three-point range as Oakland got off to a strong first-half start but could not hold on in the second half as the Golden Grizzlies fell, 71-59, at Toledo on Sunday afternoon. Kahlaijah Dean also scored in double figures for the second consecutive game adding 15 points while going 7-for-10 from the free-throw line.

Blackwell also matched a career-best with four rebounds. Sydney Gouard led Oakland (0-2) on the glass grabbing seven rebounds while Breanne Beatty chipped in six points with five rebounds.

It was a tale of two halves as Oakland led Toledo (1-0) 35-30 at halftime forcing nine turnovers defensively which led to 13 points. After falling behind 8-2 at the first media timeout, Oakland went on a 10-2 run to take its first lead of the game off a pair of free throws by Teneea Heston at 12-10. The Golden Grizzlies went on to outscore the Rockets 9-1 down the stretch to take a 19-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.

After Toledo closed within two points, 19-17, to open the second quarter, Oakland used a 7-2 spurt to extend the lead to 26-19 by the media time out. Blackwell hit her second 3-pointer of the game followed by a bank shot jumper from Dean to beat the buzzer giving the Golden Grizzlies the lead at the half. 

However, UT turned things around in the second half with the third quarter proving to be the difference as the Rockets outscored the Golden Grizzlies 18-6. Toledo opened the third quarter on a quick 5-0 run to tie the game over the first two minutes and extended their run to 11-2 by the 4:26 mark to move ahead 41-37. Dean added a pair of free throws to pull Oakland within seven at 48-41.

Blackwell and Dean sparked a 9-2 run to open the fourth quarter pulling Oakland within two points at 52-50. However, UT responded with a 12-2 run of their own to take their largest lead of the game at 12 points, 64-52, with 4:39 remaining. Oakland was not able to cut into the lead down the stretch as the Rockets maintained the 12-point advantage to close out the game.

Oakland returns home to host Chicago State on Friday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. 



###