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.
WEEK IN REVIEW:
Head Coach
Jeff Tungate caught up with
Neal Ruhl to recap the first two games of the 2020-21 season against #25 Michigan and Toledo along with the upcoming game vs Chicago State on Friday (12/6).
GAME 1 VS #25 MICHIGAN:
Oakland had three players in double figures led by Preseason All-Horizon League Second Team selection
Kahlaijah Dean with 12 points followed by
Jalisha Terry and
Kayla Luchenbach with 10 points each as the Golden Grizzlies fell in the season home opener, 95-62, to No. 25 Michigan on Friday (11/27).
Alona Blackwell also added eight points while
Brianna Breedy dished out a team-high four assists.
Gallery: (11-27-2020) Oakland WBB vs #25 Michigan
GAME 2 AT TOLEDO:
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 (11/2).
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
UP NEXT – CHICAGO STATE
Oakland leads the all-time series against Chicago State, 17-5, winning the last four consecutive games. The Cougars are led by junior guard Kourtney Crane in scoring (11.6 ppg) and rebounds (3.7 rpg) followed by sophomore guard Aja Phoumiphat who leads the squad in assists (3.6).
ALUMNI CHECK IN: NIKITA TELESFORD (19')
Hometown: Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Women's Basketball Accomplishments (2016-19):
- Played in 89 career games with 45 starts
- Posted career-high double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds vs Chicago State (11/14/16)
- Ranked tied 14th in the Horizon League in offensive rebounds per game (2.0) during senior year. Sent career mark in field goals going 8-for-10 from the field just missing her career-high by a point scoring 17 points at CSU (2/2)
- Finished 15th in the league in blocks (0.7 per game) as a junior
Nikita checked in from across the pond as she is currently in her first season playing professionally overseas.
Current Team: Current Team: U.M.F. SKALLAGRIMUR – Borgarnes, Iceland
Past Teams: Concordia University – Montreal, Canada (2019-20)
Best on-court performance…
"As a role player, I've had some great games that don't always translate onto the stat sheet. While in Montreal, I recorded 26 points and nine rebounds with some key steals. Not seriously impressive but that game gave us some momentum to move forward. Throughout that whole season, I had a few games similar to that one but, I've yet to reach my full potential. Double-doubles are now my expectation for myself, but it will be nice to get 20-plus in each category in one game. No doubt in my mind that I'll reach that goal soon if COVID-19 ever ends. Speaking of double-doubles, I had 12 points and 14 rebounds helping UMF win the Super Cup which was a continuation of last season's tournament!"
What Oakland means to her…
"Being an OU Alum means the world to me! No matter what phase of life I'm in, I know that I will always have those who I can rely on. Friends for life. Even the ones I am not as close to now, I know I can call upon them at any time and it would be like no time has passed by. Oakland provided me with a sense of community and allowed me to be more than just a basketball player. I now have friends all over the world who help guide me through difficult times and laugh with me through the greatest of times. I did a lot of growing up at Oakland and I'm grateful for all that I learned on and off the court. I'll forever be a Golden Grizzly and I'm extremely honored to say that."
Favorite memory playing overseas and traveling internationally…
I haven't been a professional basketball player for long (three months total with two of those being shut down due to COVID-19). I love to be adventurous and since COVID-19 hit, I've had nothing but time to travel. I currently live in Iceland, which is one of the most beautiful and scenic countries in the world. My roommates and I often take day trips to fascinating sights that Iceland is famous for. It makes me feel so blessed that during these unprecedented times, I am able to constantly do what I love with some amazing people. Hopefully I can get to the Blue Lagoon before I leave!"
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