DAYTON, Ohio - Kahlaijah Dean scored 19 of her 20 points in the second half while Alona Blackwell poured in 19 first-half points along with 12 points and eight rebounds from Chloe Guingrich as the trio combined for 51 points leading Oakland to a 75-69 win at Wright State on Saturday afternoon. The win snapped a 16-game skid vs Wright State and was the first win over the Raiders since Feb. 11, 1989. The Golden Grizzlies (3-2) move to 3-0 in Horizon League play for the first time in program history and marks the first time since the 2009-10 season the team has opened league play with three consecutive wins.

Autumn Kissman added nine points while Breanne Breatty dished out a team-high five assists. Jalisha Terry also chipped in with six points. 

Defensively, Oakland held Wright State (2-3, 2-1 HL) to 3-for-17 (17.6%) from 3-point range and 22-for-73 (30.1%) from the field overall.

Oakland got off the hot start in the first half shooting a blistering 7-for-12 (58.3%) from behind the arc and 17-for-32 (53.1%) from the field. Blackwell's 19 points came on shooting 5-for-7 from 3-point range and 7-for-10 from the field. Gunigrich added 11 points going 4-for-6 from the field and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line as the Golden Grizzlies held a 47-34 lead at the break.

Dean picked up the scoring in the second half going 7-for-11 from the field. However, the Raiders got back into the game outscoring Oakland 21-8 in the third quarter tying the game at 55-55 entering the fourth quarter.

Oakland responded opening the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run to take the lead at 64-57. After WSU closed the gap within two points, 67-65, Dean came up clutch scoring the next four points capped off with a driving left-handed scoop shot moving Oakland's lead back up to six points at 71-65.

Dean then sealed the game scoring the next five points from the free-throw line accounting for all nine of Oakland's points down the stretch.

The series finale is set for Sunday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.





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