MILWAUKEE - Kahlaijah Dean reached double figures for the 11th straight game scoring a team-high 19 points going a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line with four assists, three steals and her first block of the season while Alona Blackwell reached double digits for the fourth consecutive game with 13 points as Oakland rallied from a 16 point deficit in the second half but fell short at Milwaukee, 74-67, on Valentine's Day. Chloe Guingrich added 11 points with seven rebounds while Kayla Luchenbach chipped in with 10 points and six rebounds. 

Despite only shooting 3-for-20 from behind the arc, Oakland (10-14, 5-8 HL) countered going 16-for-18 (88.9%) from the free throw line. However, Milwaukee (10-14, 7-6 HL) matched the Golden Grizzlies from the charity stripe hitting 15-of-17 (88.2%) while shooting 50 percent (27-for-54) from the field compared to only 34.8 percent (24-for-69) by Oakland.

Oakland got off to a slow start to open the third quarter scoring only one point off a free throw from Luchenbach though the first eight minutes which led to a 16 point deficit with 3:46 left in the frame. Dean and Luchenbach then connected on back-to-back layups, were fouled in the process, and each completed the 3-point play from the free throw line ending the scoring drought for a quick 6-0 run. The Golden Grizzlies then turned up the defensive pressure in the front court causing Milwaukee turnovers to extend the run to 12-0 and pull within four points at 47-43. Oakland outscored Milwaukee 14-3 overall down the stretch of the third to trail by five, 50-45, entering the fourth quarter.

After battling back in the third quarter, Oakland continued to try and get over the hump during the first six minutes of the fourth quarter before Dean hit a pair of free throws cutting the deficit to one point, 63-62, with 3:19 remaining. The Panthers then scored the next five points before a 3-pointer by Blackwell kept the Golden Grizzlies close at 67-65 with 1:45 to go. After a pair of Milwaukee free throws, the pivotal point down the stretch came when Oakland missed four straight shots on their next possession which lasted from the 49 second mark until 30 seconds remaining. The Golden Grizzlies had no choice but to foul to extend the game where the Panthers responded hitting their next three free throws to seal the game.

In the first half, Oakland survived a 11-0 first quarter Milwaukee run and scored 15 points in each quarter to only trial by seven, 37-30, at the half. 

Oakland's road swing continues at Green Bay on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. ET

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