ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies look to bounce back as the women's basketball team faces off against UIC Sunday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. (ET) from Credit Union 1 Arena.
The Flames, 2-16 overall and 1-11 in Horizon League play, have lost 11 straight and are just 1-8 at home.
Oakland is coming off a back and forth battle with Horizon League leader, IUPUI who is riding a 10 game win streak and sits at 12-3 in conference play with YSU.
Oakland and the Flames met back on December, 2 as the Golden Grizzlies topped UIC, 67-59 at the O'rena. 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 and five steals to her stat line, a season high.
Sunday's game against the Flames marks the fifth-straight road game for the Golden Grizzlies, before heading back to the O'rena hosting four straight.
NOTES
DOWN GOES YOUNGSTOWN
Against the Horizon's top team, the Golden Grizzlies put up a fight in the Beeghly Center, taking an early lead then mounting a late comeback to knock off the 12-1 Penguins on their home court. Brianna Breedysparked the late run, and led Oakland with 14 points.
MONTUE MARKS
Against Robert Morris, freshman Kennedie Montue set a career high in scoring, reaching double-figures for the first time on efficient 3-4 shooting, 2-2 from three. Montue's scoring outburst helped Oakland make a late push to try and win the game, but the Golden Grizzlies eventually fell short, losing by eight to the Colonials in Pittsburgh.
BROOMS OUT
Oakland, behind 17 points from Breanne Beatty, won their tenth straight game over Detroit Mercy, completing the Metro Series sweep for a fifth straight year. The Titans held the lead for 24 minutes, but the Golden Grizzlies locked up in the fourth quarter, stifling the Mercy offense and winning 66-62.
FOLLEY FEASTING
Kendall Folley recorded six assists twice against Detroit, a career high for the freshman. Folley pushed the pace in transition consistently, finding her teammates for high-quality looks in the paint. In her first six starts, Folley averaged 3.8 assists per game.
TWO-WAY K
Kahlaijah Dean, as she has been all season, currently is top five in the Horizon League in scoring (17.0, fifth) and in steals (2.1, fourth) per game. Dean leads Oakland in points, assists and steals per game as well.
NO MERCY
Oakland defeated Detroit Mercy 80-50, taking the first game of the Metro Series. The Golden Grizzlies defense held Detroit to 17 first-half points, claiming a 23-point halftime lead. With 47 bench points, it was a team effort to defeat the Titans.
LAST FOUR
Feb. 4: Oakland 56 // IUPUI 64
The IUPUI Jaguars swept the season series against Oakland as the Golden Grizzlies fell short, 64-56 Friday night from the Jungle. Kahlaijah Dean led Oakland in scoring, recording 13 points on 3-9 shooting, and a perfect 7-7 from the line. Breanne Beatty added 12 for the Golden Grizzlies, rounding out the double-digit performers on 5-9 from the floor and adding five boards.
Jan. 30: Oakland 56 // Youngstown State 52
Down 42-32 with two minutes left in the third, it appeared the 12-1 Youngstown State Penguins were on their way to their 13th league win. But, Brianna Breedy and the Golden Grizzlies locked up, kept fighting and held the Penguins to 10 fourth-quarter points. With the 56-52 win, Oakland improved to 8-4 in the league, 10-9 overall. Breedy led Oakland in scoring with 14 points, but seven came during the late-game push. Breedy hit three jumpers, one three, to kickstart the game-winning run. Over the last 12 minutes of game time Youngstown State scored only 12 points, as the Oakland defense held firm against one of the Horizon's best offenses.
Jan. 28: Robert Morris 73 // Oakland 65
The Robert Morris Colonials evened the season series with Oakland as the Golden Grizzlies' late run fell short, losing 73-65. Kennedie Montue led Oakland in scoring, putting up career-high 10 points on 3-4 shooting, 2-2 from three and 2-3 from the line. The freshman was key in the late run that cut a 17-point fourth quarter lead to five. Breanne Beatty, Kahlaijah Dean, Kayla Luchenbach and Aaliyah McQueen all scored nine for the Golden Grizzlies.
Jan. 22: Oakland 66 // Oakland 62
The Golden Grizzlies women's basketball team improved to 7-3 in the Horizon and 9-8 overall with a 66-62 win over the Detroit Mercy Titans, escaping Calihan Hall after a battle to the end. Breanne Beatty tied her career high of 17 points, hitting 3-6 threes as she led the team in scoring. Kayla Luchenbach and Kahlaijah Dean each scored 11. It was the fifth game in a row for Luchenbach in double-figures.
MCQUEEN MAKING STRIDES
Sophomore transfer Aaliyah McQueen is scoring more as the season progresses. She set a career high against Northern Kentucky (13) and immediately broke it the next game against Detroit (15). McQueen's emergence has strengthened the Oakland bench, which has been led by junior Alona Blackwell.
BEATTY SETS THE BAR
Against Wright State, Breanne Beatty set two career highs in points (16) and threes (4). All of her points came before the fourth quarter, as Oakland used the second and third quarters to secure their fifth Horizon League win, 62-51.
THREE: THE MAGIC NUMBER
Oakland went on a three-game win streak to begin the month. The Golden Grizzlies held opponents to 60 points or less in all three of their wins, something they'd only done twice before. With wins over Milwaukee, Purdue Fort Wayne and Wright State, the Golden Grizzlies vaulted into second place in the Horizon League. The 54.6 opponent ppg average over the three wins is 13 points less than the season average of 67.6 ppg.
SPECTACULAR SIX VS IPFW
Looking to improve to 4-2 in conference, Oakland women's basketball faced their toughest challenge of the season against the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons. The Golden Grizzlies were down to just six players: C'Erra Maholmes, Alona Blackwell, Kayla Luchenbach, Breanne Beatty, Kendall Folley and Sydney Gouard. Those six players came back from a 16-point deficit, coming back to win 63-60. Blackwell hit a game-winning corner three and a mid range shot to seal the game, she finished with a team-high 17 points.
FRESHMEN PHENOMS
To open 2022, Oakland received consecutive Freshman of the Week awards from the Horizon League. Kennedie Montue was named freshman of the week on Jan. 3, and Kendall Folley was named Freshman of the Week on Jan. 10. The freshmen join Kahlaijah Dean as Golden Grizzlies with weekly awards.
DEFENSE DOES IT
Oakland forced 24 turnovers and held the Milwaukee Panthers to 53 points, resulting in the best defensive performance of the season. Three Golden Grizzlies had three steals or more, Kendall Folley (three), C'Erra Maholmes (four) and Kahlaijah Dean (five) made up 12 of Oakland's 14 steals. Freshman Helen Staley also had two. The Oakland defense is second in the Horizon in total steals, with 117 on the season.
MAHOLMES MAGIC
Grad student C'Erra Maholmes turned in a career night against Milwaukee, setting multiple career-highs with a 10 point, five rebound, four steal performance. One of Maholmes' steals was critical to taking the lead, as she jumped a passing lane for an uncontested layup on the fast break, bringing Oakland to within one point at the end of the first quarter. Oakland took a one-point lead on the next possession and never gave it up.
KENNEDIE FOR THREE
With a corner three in the first quarter, freshman Kennedie Montue recorded her first points at Oakland. Montue went on to have a career night, playing the most minutes of her young career and scoring nine points, including efficient shooting. Montue went 3-6 from the floor, 2-4 from deep and had four rebounds in her first lengthy action of the season.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Five freshmen are on the 2021-22 roster this season, the most Jeff Tungate has had on the roster since 2014-15. In addition to five freshmen, Oakland has four seniors and a graduate student on the roster, putting their roster at 11 seniors/freshmen.
FRESHMAN FOCUS
Oakland's five 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
- 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.
