ROCHESTER, Mich.  - Kahlaijah Dean recorded her second consecutive double-double with a game-high 21 points going 6-for-12 from the field and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line while dishing a career-high 12 assists with seven rebounds and two blocks as Oakland used a strong fourth-quarter scoring 27 points to defeat Purdue Fort Wayne, 73-61, at home Saturday afternoon. Breanne Beatty tacked on 10 points and six rebounds while Breanna Perry also added a career-high eight points going a perfect 8-for-8 from the field. Alona Blackwell added seven points and two steals.

Chloe Guingrich added nine points and pulled down three offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Oakland (8-7, 8-4 HL), grabbing 11 boards and turning them into nine-second chance points. Autumn Kissman chipped in with eight points while Alona Blackwell added seven points and team-high two steals.

The Golden Grizzlies matched a season-high 23 assists while forcing 16 Purdue Fort Wayne turnovers defensively and turned those takeaways into 20 points on the offensive end of the floor.

Oakland struggled out of the gate, falling behind 19-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Purdue Fort Wayne (0-14, 0-12 HL) kept adding to that lead, building a 32-20 advantage before Oakland went on an 8-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Perry, to narrow its deficit to 32-28. Purdue Fort Wayne responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Golden Grizzlies trailing 34-28 heading into halftime.

PFW continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 44-36 advantage before Oakland went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Beatty, to trim its deficit to 44-42 with 2:38 to go in the third. The Golden Grizzlies continued their rally and brought things level at 46-46 entering the fourth quarter. Oakland played well near the basket, scoring 14-of-18 points in the paint.

The Mastodons then snagged a 53-52 advantage before Oakland responded by going on a 13-0 run, finished off by Dean's layup, to seize a 65-53 lead with 3:12 to go in the contest. The Golden Grizzlies held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 73-61 win. Oakland took advantage of five Purdue Fort Wayne turnovers in the quarter, scoring eight points off of those takeaways.

Oakland hits the road for a two-game set at Cleveland State beginning on Fri., Jan. 29 at 1 p.m.

Game Notes
» Kahlaijah Dean notched a double-double for the Golden Grizzlies with 21 points and 12 assists.
» The Golden Grizzlies outscored Purdue Fort Wayne 15-27 in the fourth quarter to break a 46-46 third quarter tie.
» The Golden Grizzlies shared the ball well, recording an assist on 77 percent of made field goals.
» Kahlaijah Dean collected 12 assists for Oakland.
» The Oakland bench made an impact by scoring 25 points to its scoring output.
» Oakland had a 36-27 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Oakland defense forced 16 turnovers.
» Oakland cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Kahlaijah Dean led the Golden Grizzlies with a game-high 21 points.
» Oakland got a game-high seven rebounds from Kahlaijah Dean.

Technology provided by Data Skrive was used to  help create this article.





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