ROCHESTER, Mich. - Seniors Chloe Guingrich scored a season and team-high 19 points on 6-for-10 shooting and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line while Autumn Kissman scored 18 points for the second consecutive game with six rebounds on 7-of-9 shooting and 5-for-5 from the charity stripe followed by Jalisha Terry chipping in five points with five assists as Oakland fell 88-75 to Northern Kentucky on Senior Day Saturday at the O' rena. Kahlaijah Dean just missed a double-double with 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists. The Golden Grizzlies earned a No. 4 seed and first-round bye in the 2021 Horizon League Tournament and will host No. 5 seed and defending league champion IUPUI in quarterfinal action on Tuesday, March 2 at 3 p.m. 

Breanne Beatty chipped in with nine points and five rebounds. Led by Dean's four offensive rebounds, Oakland did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 18 boards that resulted in 18 second-chance points.

Oakland struggled out of the gate, falling behind 24-16 as Northern Kentucky (7-10, 7-5 HL) ending the first quarter on 12-4 run.

The seniors opened up the second quarter on a roll scoring 21 of the team's 29 points as Guingrich led the way with 10 points followed by Kissman with six Terry with five. However, NKU built a 33-24 advantage before Oakland went on a 7-0 run to narrow its deficit to 33-31. The Norse responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Golden Grizzlies trailing 42-35 heading into halftime.

Northern Kentucky continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 47-38 advantage before Oakland went on a 12-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Dean, to grab a 50-47 lead with 5:58 to go in the third. The Golden Grizzlies' run extended to 15-5 before a NKU hoop pulled them within one point at 50-49. The Norse then went on an 11-0 run outscoring Oakland 17-4 overall down the stretch to regain a 64-54 lead entering the fourth quarter. Oakland's bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled five of the team's 19 third-quarter points.

In the fourth quarter, Oakland took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 21 points in the paint but could not pull any closer and NKU secured the win.

Game Notes:
» The Golden Grizzlies put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 68 percent of made baskets.
» Oakland lost despite a 42-37 rebounding advantage.
» Oakland cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 18 offensive boards in the game.
» Chloe Guingrich led the Golden Grizzlies with 19 points.
» Oakland got a game-high nine rebounds from Kahlaijah Dean.






 
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