ROCHESTER, Mich - Kahlaijah Dean scored nine of her game-high 15 points in the second half while Alona Blackwell posted 14 points going 3-for-5 from 3-point range as Oakland used a 14-4 fourth quarter run to rally with a 65-60 come from behind Metro Series win over arch-rival Detroit Mercy on Saturday which marked the sixth consecutive victory over the Titans.  

Brianna Breedy dished out a game-high seven assists with seven points while Dean had six assists as the tandem accounted for 13 of Oakland's 17 total assists with each just missing their career-high by one assist. Jalisha Terry added nine points followed by eight from Kayla Luchenbach. Sydney Gouard grabbed a team-high eight rebounds followed by seven from Breanne Beatty. 

After trailing most of the game, Oakland (9-12, 4-6 HL) turned up the defense in the fourth quarter holding Detroit Mercy (2-19, 2-8 HL) to just nine points on 3-of-14 shooting (21.4%) and 0-for-2 from behind the ace while scoring 19 points and hitting 9-for-11 from the charity stripe. Oakland also held a huge 25-6 advantage in bench points. 

The fourth quarter run started with 7-0 spurt sparked by a 3-point play from Blackwell to tie the game at 51-51 followed with a layup from Luchenbach giving the Golden Grizzlies their first lead of the game at 53-51. Gouard connected on a layup followed by a Dean free throw which increased the lead to 60-55 with 2:22 left to play. However, Detroit Mercy scored the next five points cutting the lead to 63-60 and then missed a 3-pointer to tie the game with 27 seconds remaining. Breedy then made two free throws to seal the win. 

In the third quarter, Dean hit a 3-point bucket, was fouled in the process and made the ensuing free throw to pull Oakland within six points, 38-32. The Golden Grizzlies increased the defensive pressure holding the Titans scoreless over a 2:34 minute span while Terry hit a triple to cut the deficit to three points at 40-37 at the 4:28 mark. After cutting the lead to one point at 47-46 with 2:12 left, Oakland had a chance to take the lead off a Dean 3-pointer that was off the mark. The Titans scored the next four points to take a five point lead into the fourth at 51-46. 

After a slow start in the first quarter in which Oakland only scored nine points, the Golden Grizzlies matched Detroit Mercy by scoring 16 points in the second quarter to only trial by seven points at the half, 32-25.

Oakland continues its three-game home stand against UIC on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.





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