ROCHESTER, Mich. – Midway through the second quarter, the Golden Grizzlies lead shrunk from 14 to nine, in danger of letting their opponent back in the game. A 10-0 run over five minutes gave Oakland the momentum they needed to hold on for their first win of the season, 77-64.
Oakland finished with 20 team assists and had four players in double figures to defeat Niagara. Freshman Olivia Sims and Breanne Beatty led the team with 12 points each. Kahlaijah Dean led the team with five steals, LaMariyee Williams led the team with four assists and Breanna Perry led the way defensively with two blocks.
The Niagara Purple Eagles came into the game 1-0 after a 19-point comeback win against Loyola-Maryland in their season opener. This time, they could not mount a comeback.
Oakland raced out to a 14-5 lead early in the first. Sims scored five points on two shots and found Beatty in the corner for an assisted three. The Golden Grizzlies were active early on defense, with four steals in the first five minutes. Those steals led to five fast break points.
Sims led the team in scoring in the first quarter, easily smashing her career high of three points she set against Toledo. Sims ended with 12 points, two threes, three assists and one rebound, all career highs.
Kendall Folley made her debut for Oakland, checking in with two minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Helen Staley made her first basket as a Golden Grizzly on a second-chance layup. The Rosemount native finished with two points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Aaliyah McQueen had her first points in Black and Gold as well. McQueen had two baskets late in the first half, including a shot to beat the buzzer. She finished with four points, three rebounds and two assists in her second game.
Oakland ended the first quarter up 27-13 after shutting down the Purple Eagle offense, limiting them to 35% shooting overall and 25% from three.
Niagara gained some offensive momentum to open the second quarter, hitting four of their first seven to gnaw away at the 14-point Oakland lead. The Purple Eagles chipped away, reducing the lead to nine with five minutes left in the half.
But, Oakland held Niagara without a basket for the final 5:25 of the first half, expanding their lead to 19 by halftime, 43-24.
Breanne Beatty was rolling offensively in the first half, leading Oakland in scoring with 10 points on 4-7 shooting. Beatty had her fingerprints all over the first half, recording five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Oakland kept Niagara at bay to begin the third quarter. Both teams traded baskets as the Golden Grizzlies' lead hovered around 18. The third quarter ended with Oakland ahead by 20, 65-45. Sims led Oakland with 12 points through three. Four Golden Grizzlies were in double figures after three, and Oakland had 16 team assists.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, as Niagara started pressing and trapping to gain ground back. The Purple Eagles found some opportunity in the late fourth quarter, but the Oakland lead proved insurmountable. Oakland held on to win 77-64.
Next up for Oakland is their first Horizon League contest of the season against Youngstown State. The Penguins come to the O'Rena Thursday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.
