MILWAUKEE, Wisc. – After facing their last non-conference opponent on Dec. 20, the Oakland women's basketball team returns to Horizon League action at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30 against the Milwaukee Panthers in the Klotsche Center.
Oakland returns to conference play after playing four Horizon League games earlier in the year. The two-game getaways from non-conference opponents fared well for the Golden Grizzlies, they went 2-2. Each weekend Horizon League series ended in a 1-1 split. All four of the Golden Grizzlies' previous Horizon League games were at home, Milwaukee will be their first road test in the conference.
The Golden Grizzlies enter the matchup with Milwaukee 4-7 overall after two losses in Las Vegas to Bowling Green and Marshall. The Golden Grizzlies had early leads in both games before the MAC opponents made comebacks. Against Bowling Green, Kahlaijah Dean became the 19th leading scorer in program history, breaking into the top 20 in her fourth season. The next day against Marshall, sophomore Aaliyah McQueen set a career high in points in a solid shooting performance.
Milwaukee sits third in the conference with a 3-1 Horizon League record. The Panthers are led by Megan Walstad, a double-double threat who leads the team in points (14.2) rebounds (9.2) and blocks (1.4) per game. Walstad is also third on Milwaukee in assists per game. The redshirt sophomore forward was named the Horizon League's player of the week for the week of Dec. 12-19. She was also a preseason All-League First Team selection.
Like Walstad, Dean was a preseason first team selection and has one player of the week under her belt. Dean is still top five in points (18.1) and steals (2.2) per game, as she has been nearly the entire season. In the month of December, Dean is averaging 17.8 points per game, including huge outbursts of 34 and 28 in back-to-back games.
Milwaukee has victories over Robert Morris, Wright State and Northern Kentucky. The 12-point victory over NKU on Nov. 20 gave the 8-3 Norse one of their few losses.
Last season, the Golden Grizzlies and Panthers split their games in a shortened season. Oakland beat Milwaukee 83-82 in overtime on Feb. 12 on a game-winning Breanna Perry free throw before the Panthers evened the series with a 69-66 win the next day. In the three-point loss, Dean set her career-high of 34. The No. 2 seed Panthers reached the Horizon League semifinals in Indianapolis, where they lost 56-46 against IUPUI.
Tip off for Oakland vs. Milwaukee is at 8 p.m. EST, and the game is streamable with ESPN+. The Golden Grizzlies finish out their annual Wisconsin road trip with a game against the Green Bay Phoenix Saturday, Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. EST.
NOTES
THUNDERING THIRD QUARTER
Against the Marshall Thundering Herd, the Golden Grizzlies held a one-point lead at halftime, 38-37. The Marshall Thundering Herd went on a big defensive run in the third quarter, outscoring Oakland 21-6. Oakland has been outscored 230-172 in the third quarter this season.
MCQUEEN GOES OFF
Sophomore Aaliyah McQueen set a career high with 12 points on 5-8 shooting, including 2-4 from deep against Marshall on Monday, Dec. 20. McQueen was a big part of Oakland's first half lead, scoring 10 points in the first half, starting off 2-2 from three.
HISTORY FOR KD
Kahlaijah Dean entered Dec. 19th's game against Bowling Green four points away from the top 20 scorers in program history. After scoring 28 points on 10-17 shooting and 3-6 threes, Dean not only secured her spot in the top 20, she became the 19th leading scorer in Oakland history.
SEASON REWIND
Dec. 20: Marshall 79 // Oakland 58
The Golden Grizzlies held a one-point lead at halftime, but a 21-6 third quarter led to a 79-58 loss against the Marshall Thundering Herd. It was the second game of a back-to-back for Oakland after playing Bowling Green the night before in the Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas, NV. Kayla Luchenbach led the Golden Grizzlies in scoring with 13 points, and sophomore Aaliyah McQueen set a career high with 12 points on 5-8 shooting, including 2-4 from deep.
Dec. 19: Bowling Green 72 // Oakland 60
Kahlaijah Dean scored 28 points and moved into the top 20 all-time scorers in program history, but the Bowling Green Falcons emerged victorious, 72-60. It was the first game of the Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas, where the Golden Grizzlies returned to action after a 12-day hiatus. Turnovers determined the game, as Bowling Green was able to score 28 points off Oakland's 17 turnovers. Dean's 28 points put her 19th all-time in program history with 1,257 points, still with 19 games left to play in her senior season.
Dec. 7: Oakland 79 // Central Michigan 58
Kahlaijah Dean scored a season-high 34 points, tying her career-high in a wire-to-wire victory over Central Michigan, 79-58. Dean shot 11-16 from the field, 4-5 from downtown and was perfect from the free throw line, hitting all eight of her attempts. It was the third time she's scored 30 points or more in her career. Breanna Perry set a career-high in points as well, putting up 13 points on 5-7 shooting to go along with a team-high eight rebounds. Perry's eight rebounds nearly tied her career high of nine, which she set against Milwaukee in February.
Dec. 4: IUPUI 74 // Oakland 49
Oakland couldn't overcome the perennial contender IUPUI Jaguars' big first quarter, losing 74-49 in a wire-to-wire victory for IUPUI. The loss moved the Golden Grizzlies to 3-5 overall, 2-2 in conference. Olivia Sims had another efficient night, shooting 3-5 overall, 2-2 on threes and getting to the rim to force contact. She had 11 points for her fourth game with 10 points or more. Kayla Luchenbach scored in double figures for the third time this season, putting up 14 points on 5-10 shooting and hitting 4-6 free throws.
Dec. 2: Oakland 67 // UIC 59
A big first half propelled Oakland women's basketball to their second Horizon League win, putting them at 2-1 in conference play early in the season. Three Oakland players scored in double figures in a game where the bench put up 22 points. Kahlaijah Dean led Oakland with 16 points, while Lamariyee Williams (13) and Alona Blackwell (11) weren't far behind. Dean added seven assists to her stat line, a season high. Dean recorded five steals as well, her second time with at least five steals this year.
Nov. 26: Michigan State 84 // Oakland 71
A 17-3 Michigan State run in the third quarter was the deciding stretch of basketball as the Golden Grizzlies lost their second straight game, 84-71. Freshman Olivia Sims added to an impressive week, shooting a career-high 4-6 from three for 12 points. She added four rebounds, another career high. It was her second game in double figures, and fourth game of the season with two threes or more.
Nov. 22: #13 Michigan 69 // Oakland 58
The women's basketball team's big opening fourth quarter run nearly tied the game after trailing by 18 at one point. However, a late push from the top-ranked Wolverines gave Michigan the 69-58 win over the Golden Grizzlies. Kahlaijah Dean led Oakland with 15 points, hitting 5-6 free throws. She added four rebounds, tied for the team-high with Sydney Gouard. Brianna Breedy added 11 points as well, hitting 5-9 shots including one 3-pointer, putting up another efficient stat line. The deciding factor in the 11-point win was rebounding. Oakland was out-rebounded by 19, 43-24, and allowed Michigan to grab 17 offensive rebounds. The Golden Grizzlies were active defensively as they have been all year, forcing 21 turnovers and grabbing seven steals.
Nov. 20: Oakland 65 // Robert Morris 60
Oakland earned their first Horizon League win this season after defeating Robert Morris 65-60 on Saturday, Nov. 20. Kahlaijah Dean scored a game-high 22 points with four 3-pointers. The biggest three came with 4:18 remaining to take a one-point lead, after trailing the entire second half. After a timeout, Dean hit a big three to put the score at 59-58. Lamariyee Williams hit 4-4 free throws down the stretch to keep the lead. Dean stole the ball from Robert Morris with 43 seconds left up by three. Brianna Breedy hit two more free throws to give Oakland the 65-60 lead, which they held onto for the five-point win.
Nov. 18: Youngstown State 79 // Oakland 68
In the first conference game of the season, Oakland struggled to create consistent offense, losing to Youngstown State 79-68. A late comeback attempt almost came to fruition, but the YSU lead was insurmountable. The loss was the second of the season for Oakland, their record is now 1-2. Their Horizon League record drops to 0-1 on the young season. The visiting Penguins rode a hot shooting night all the way to a big victory, scoring the most points as a team this season. After failing to reach 60 points in their previous game, they had 61 by the end of the third quarter, and shot 27-48 from the floor (56%) – 12/23 from deep (52%).
Nov. 13: Oakland 77 // Niagara 64
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.
Nov. 9: Toledo 84 // Oakland 72
The visiting Toledo Rockets rode a big third quarter to a victory, spoiling Oakland's home opener with a 84-72 final score. Kahlaijah Dean recorded 27 points, six assists and four rebounds, leading Oakland in points and assists. The first-team All-Horizon league athlete lived behind the arc, hitting 5-14 3-pointers. The only other Golden Grizzly to score in double figures was Kayla Luchenbach, who scored 13 on 50% shooting. Luchenbach grabbed five rebounds as well, fourth on the team. Breanna Perry led Oakland in steals, taking the ball away twice. Breanne Beatty led the team in rebounds, pulling down seven boards.
FALCONS STRIKE
Last time out against Bowling Green, Oakland lost 72-60. The Golden Grizzlies had an early lead, but turnover struggles plagued the entirety of the game, with BGSU capitalizing on most. Bowling Green scored 27 points off turnovers in a 12-point win. Kahlaijah Dean scored 28 points and grabbed five rebounds.
CAREER HIGHS AT CENTRAL
Against Central Michigan, Kahlaijah Dean and Breanna Perry both set career highs in points, with Perry setting a season-high in rebounds. Dean scored 34, shot 11-16 from the floor and 4-7 from three-point range. Perry scored 13 points, her most in a Golden Grizzly uniform, adding eight rebounds, one shy of her career high. Dean scored 25 points in the first half, propelling Oakland to a massive 20-point halftime lead. Dean outscored the Chippewas in the first half on her own.
TWO-WAY K
Kahlaijah Dean currently is fourth in the Horizon League in scoring (18.1) and third in steals (2.2) per game. Dean has ranked in the top five in both categories all season, and leads Oakland in points, assists and steals per game.
ALWAYS OPEN
Freshman Olivia Sims leads Oakland in 3-point percentage, shooting 56% on 3.4 3-point attempts per game. Through the first eight games of her collegiate career, Sims has hit multiple threes in five games. She has also reached double figures three times, including a 12-point performance against Michigan State where she hit 4-6 threes.
TEAM DEFENSE
Oakland's active, intense defense has forced 17.6 turnovers per game this season, sixth in the conference. Led by Kahlaijah Dean's 2.4 steals per game, the defensive activity has been a team effort. Lamariyee Williams is 12th in the Horizon League in steals per game (1.6) and Breanna Perry has been the leading shot blocker for Oakland, ninth in the league in blocks with 0.9 per game.
MCQUEEN MAKING MOVES
Sophomore transfer Aaliyah McQueen set multiple Oakland career highs in a win against UIC, coming off the bench and providing a spark with eight points, two threes, four rebounds and a steal. McQueen was pivotal to a big second quarter run which gave Oakland a cushion to secure their second conference win of the year.
DOUSING FLAMES
The Golden Grizzlies turned in their best defensive performance of the season against UIC, limiting the Flames to just 59 points. It was the first game this season in which Oakland held their opponent under 60 points. Kahlaijah Dean recorded five steals and Lamariyee Williams snagged three more in a game where UIC scored only 23 points in the first half.
LIV'IN BEHIND THE LINE
Freshman Olivia Sims ranked 10th in 3-pointers per game in the Horizon League after hitting four against Michigan State, sixth in total threes made. After hitting six threes across two games last week, Sims now has four games with two or more threes. Her 48% shooting from deep is one of the best percentages in the conference, and is the second-best for Oakland. Shooting 11/23 on the season, only Lamariyee Williams (4-7 for 57%) shot better than Sims from long range through seven games.
BREEDY BEAST MODE
For the third game in a row, Brianna Breedy scored in double figures, putting up 11 points against the Michigan State Spartans. She had another efficient game from the floor (50% FG). She scored 11 points against Michigan after a 13-point outing against Robert Morris. Breedy is currently second on the team in field goal and three point percentages, and is Oakland's third leading scorer.
WORRIED WOLVERINES
On Monday, Nov. 22, Oakland took on the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor. The No. 13 ranked Wolverines were undefeated coming in. They held an 18-point lead at one point. Oakland went on a massive 11-0 run to open the fourth quarter to push the Wolverines to the brink, down one with five minutes remaining. Michigan pulled away for an 11-point win, 69-58.
SUG-AR COOKIES
Lamariyee Williams set a career high in steals when she picked off five passes against Youngstown State. After facing Youngstown, Williams ranked first in steals for Oakland and fourth in the Horizon League with three steals per game.
CAREER HIGHS VS. NIAGARA
Multiple Golden Grizzlies set career highs against the Niagara Purple Eagles on Saturday, Nov. 13. Lamariyee Williams set career highs in minutes, threes made, steals and assists in her second career start. Olivia Sims also set career highs in her second game in black and gold, scoring 12 points with two threes and three assists. Helen Staley recorded her first points at Oakland on a second-chance layup, and Aaliyah McQueen scored four points in the 2nd quarter for her first buckets as a Golden Grizzly.
MEAN, LEAN, FIGHTING K. DEAN
Kahlaijah Dean was tied for first in the Horizon League in scoring after her 27-point outburst in the season opener against Toledo. Last season, Dean was fifth in the conference with 17.2 points per game. Her six dimes also put her tied for first in the Horizon in assists after the first game.
SIMS SPLASH
With a late three coming off a sidestep move, freshman Olivia Sims recorded her first career points, 3-pointer and field goal of her Oakland career against the Toledo Rockets.
DEAN EARNS PRESEASON HORIZON LEAGUE FIRST TEAM HONORS
After earning Horizon League First Team honors for the 2020-21 season, Kahlaijah Dean was voted a preseason All-Horizon first team athlete in October. Last season marked the third consecutive year Dean has garnered All-League honors after being named Sixth Player of the Year and All-League Third Team last season and named to the All-Freshman Team during the 2018-19 season. Dean is the first student-athlete to earn first team honors since Hannah Little in 2017.
OAKLAND RUNS ON DEAN
Kahlaijah Dean led the Golden Grizzlies in points, assists, rebounds and steals. She scored in double figures in 21 of 24 games, including eight 20-point performances. Her highest scoring performance came against Milwaukee on Feb. 13, where she dropped a career-high 34 points.
FANTASTIC FOUR SEED
The Golden Grizzlies finished as the no. 4 seed in the Horizon League last season, their best conference finish since 2017 (T-3). Their 12-8 record marked the best Horizon League record since 2017 as well. The 12 wins tied Jeff Tungate's career-best as head coach.
RUNNING AND GUNNING
Oakland scored 69.5 points per game in 2020-21, second best in the Horizon League. Led by Kahlaijah Dean's 17.2 points per game, the Golden Grizzlies scored as a team. In 2020-21, six Golden Grizzlies scored five or more points per game.
BOMBS BY BLACKWELL
In her second season, Alona Blackwell finished sixth in the league in 3-pointers made per game. Her 1.8 threes per game led the team and led to big scoring outbursts. Her five 3-pointers against Wright State on Dec. 19, 2020 was a career-high, and helped the Golden Grizzlies defeat the Raiders on the road, 75-69.
DIME TIME
Oakland ranked second in the Horizon in total assists (360), assists per game (15) and assist to turnover ratio (1.01). The ball movement was spearheaded by Kahlaijah Dean (106 total assists), Brianna Breedy (61) and Breanne Beatty (56). All three return this season.
PRESEASON PREDICTION
Oakland was picked fifth in the Horizon League preseason poll, after finishing as the No. 4 overall seed last season. Kahlaijah Dean was the only Golden Grizzly to be named to a preseason team, making the first team.
PADAWANS AND JEDIS
Six freshmen are on the 2021-22 roster this season, the most Jeff Tungate has had on the roster since 2014-15. In addition to six freshmen, Oakland has four seniors and a graduate student on the roster, putting their roster at 11 seniors/freshmen.
FRESHMAN FOCUS
Oakland's six freshmen athletes each come from unique places. Below is a quick summary of each freshman:
- Kendall Folley: 5'7" guard from Lebanon, Ohio.
- Third all-time leading scorer in Lebanon High School history
- Miriam Ibezim: 6'2" forward from Rochester, NY.
- Averaged 19.8 points and 19.5 rebounds per game in her career
- Kennedie Montue: 5'11" guard from Pittsburgh, PA.
- 2020-21 Valley News Dispatch Girls Basketball Player of the Year
- Prunelle Mungo: 6'2" forward from Lebanon, Ohio
- Three-year letterwinner, lettered in volleyball as well
- Olivia Sims: 5'9" guard from Toledo, Ohio.
- First-Team All-District selection and Third-Team All-State selection as a junior
- Helen Staley: 6'0" forward from Rosemount, Minn.
- Rosemount all-time leading rebounder, scored more than 1000 pts
FROM THE ILLINI TO THE GOLDEN GRIZZLIES
Aaliyah McQueen joins the Golden Grizzlies after playing at Illinois her freshman season. At Illinois, she played in all 19 games, averaging 9.6 minutes per game. Her career high came against Michigan State, when she scored eight points on a perfect 3-point shooting night, 2-2 from three.
The Flint, Mich. native was the No. 22 wing in the state coming out of high school, and was named Associated Press Division I Girls Basketball All-Michigan first team as a senior.
