ROCHESTER, Mich. - Head Coach Jeff Tungate got his 100th career win as Oakland had five players in double-figures with Kahlaijah Dean scoring a game-high 21 points followed by Alona Blackwell with 14, Autumn Kissman 12 and Breanne Beatty and Lamariyee Williams with 11 each to complete the weekend sweep over Robert Morris on Saturday afternoon, 84-77. The Golden Grizzlies shot 51.9% from the field for the second consecutive game and 46.7% (7-for-15) from 3-point range to reach the season-high 84 points.

Oakland (10-9, 10-6 HL) grabbed 35 rebounds compared to Robert Morris' (3-11, 3-11 HL) 28, led by Kissman's seven boards and forced 15 Robert Morris turnovers. The Golden Grizzlies turned those takeaways into 20 points on the offensive end of the floor. Blackwell's four steals led the way for Oakland.

After falling behind 5-4, Oakland went on a 7-0 run with 8:01 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Dean, to take an 11-5 lead. The Golden Grizzlies then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 20-16 advantage. Oakland did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 20 points close to the basket.

Oakland built that first quarter lead to 38-28 before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 1:54 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Breanna Perry. The Golden Grizzlies used an 18-5 run (24-10 overall)  to increase its lead to 44-28 at halftime. Oakland dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 24 points close to the basket.

Oakland continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Sydney Gouard, to expand its lead further to 63-43 with 2:51 to go in the third. The Colonials then cut into that lead but the Golden Grizzlies still entered the fourth with a 69-50 edge. Oakland's bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled seven of the team's 25 third-quarter points.

In the fourth quarter, Oakland took advantage of its opportunities in the post scoring eight of its 15 points in the paint. However, RMU would not go away going on a 14-3 run late in the fame to close the deficit to six points with 56 seconds to go. The Golden Grizzlies then sealed the win from the free throw line to hold on to the win.

Oakland hits the road for a pair of league games at Milwaukee starting on Fri., Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. EST.

Game Notes:
» The Golden Grizzlies shot well from 3-point range, knocking down seven of 15 long range attempts.
» The Golden Grizzlies never trailed after taking a 20-16 first quarter lead.
» Five Oakland players scored 10 or more points.
» Oakland had a 35-28 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Oakland defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Kahlaijah Dean led the Golden Grizzlies with a game-high 21 points.
» Oakland got a game-high seven rebounds from Autumn Kissman.




 
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