ROCHESTER, Mich. — The Oakland men's basketball team grinded out a 81-71 win over Wright State on Saturday inside the Athletics Center O'rena. The result broke preseason favorite WSU's (7-2, 5-1 HL) seven-game win streak, which included five straight against Horizon League opponents. 

The Golden Grizzlies (3-10, 3-3 HL) jumped out to a 26-9 advantage at the 10:53 mark in the first half. However, WSU responded with a 12-0 run and outscored Oakland 31-11 in the remaining 10 minutes of the first half to head into the break with a 40-37 lead. 

Rashad Williams led the first-half charge with 18 points on 7-of-12 (58%) shooting, which included 4 three-point makes. Jalen Moore found open teammates left and right to finish the half with 8 assists.

Wright State grew its lead to 55-46 in the second half but Oakland fired back with a 14-5 run to tie the game, 60-60 at the 8-minute mark. A layup by Daniel Oladapo gave the Golden Grizzlies their first lead since 2:17 was left in the first period and it was never relinquished. 

Moore was a workhorse for Oakland, as he played the entirety of the game. The junior transfer came alive offensively in the second half, scoring 20 of his game-high 24 points in the second period. He scored 14 of Oakland's final 17 points and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. Additionally, he dished out 12 assists compared to just 2 turnovers for his second double-double of the season. 

In addition to Moore, the freshmen duo of Trey Townsend and Micah Parrish rose to the occasion in the second half. The big play from the duo was needed after the hot-shooting Williams fouled out early in the period. The two along with Moore accounted for 77-percent (32 points) of Oakland's second-half output (44 points). 

Townsend was a rebound shy of a double-double with 12 points and 9 rebounds (5 offensive) while Parrish tallied 8 points and 5 boards. Oladapo also chipped in with 11 points and 6 rebounds. 

The Oakland defense impressed despite being outrebounded 42-to-28. WSU shooters were forced to difficult shots all game long, finishing 44% (26-for-59) from the floor and 28% (7-for-25) from beyond the arc. 

The Golden Grizzlies won the turnover-margin 19-to-8. Moore (4 steals), Townsend (3 steals), Kevin Kangu (3 steals), and Parrish (2 steals) each came away with two-plus takeaways. 

As a team, Oakland shot 45% (29-for-64) overall and 41% (9-for-22) from three-point range. The team made all 14 free throw attempts. Four players reached double-figures and five shot above 50% from the field. 

The Golden Grizzlies return to conference action on Jan. 8-9 at Green Bay. Both games will tip-off at 7 p.m. inside the Kress Center. 

Highlights