MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – 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. Dean currently is four points away from moving into the program's top 20 all-time scorers.
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.
Breanne Beatty was the third Golden Grizzly to score in double figures, putting up 10 points with two 3-pointers for her second game this season with 10 or more points.
In just their second road game of the season, Oakland faced their third in-state non-conference opponent in Central Michigan. The Golden Grizzlies took on Michigan and Michigan State in November.
Oakland rushed out to an 11-2 lead after four minutes, stifling the Central Michigan offense with active defense. The Chippewas had good looks, but Oakland's defense was contesting everything.
The Golden Grizzlies offense was in sync early on, sharing the ball and getting good looks. Dean had 11 first-quarter points, hitting 4-6 shots, 2-3 from deep. Dean found openings in Central's zone for long-range bombs, and was able to use her quickness to get good looks at the rim.
Oakland carried their early momentum to an 18-10 lead after one quarter. Dean had 13 points after one, outscoring CMU on her own.
The CMU offense woke up to start the second quarter, scoring eight points through three minutes, nearly matching their first quarter total. Jahari Smith hit back-to-back shots to give Central a boost. Smith entered the game the third-leading rebounder in the MAC, pulling down 9.2 rebounds per game. However, the Oakland defense held Central scoreless in the final six minutes of the second quarter.
Dean continued her lethal shooting in the second half, putting up 12 first-half points to bring her total up to 25 after two periods. On the strength of her 10-12 shooting, 4-5 from deep, Oakland took a 42-20 into the second half.
In addition to Dean's hot shooting, the rebounding differential provided Oakland many chances to extend their lead. Oakland outrebounded Central 29-19 in the first half, grabbing nine offensive rebounds for 15 second-chance points.
Oakland extended their lead to 30 points with five minutes remaining in the third quarter, after Beatty scored five quick points alongside Dean, who continued to pour in points. Midway through the third, Dean had 28 points, six away from tying her career high.
In her third start this season, Alona Blackwell scored five points to go along with three assists and three steals.
After three, Oakland kept their commanding lead, up 62-38. Perry had 10 third-quarter points, reaching double figures for the first time this season. Her three blocks through three quarters was also a season-high.
With four minutes left in the third, Kahlaijah Dean hit a layup to tie her career high in scoring. Her 34 points matched the career-high 34 she scored against Milwaukee on Feb. 13, 2021.
Oakland has 13 days before their next matchup, a game against Marshall University in the South Point Casino Arena on Dec. 20 for the Las Vegas South Point Holiday Hoops Classic.
