Rochester, Mich. - After three tough road tests to begin the season, Oakland is ready to return home on Friday for their regular season home opener against Cleary.

After opening the season with a thrilling double-overtime victory in Akron, Oakland is on a two game losing skid after falling to Michigan State and Michigan, two teams who are projected to be atop the Big Ten standings.

While battling through their difficult early season schedule, Oakland has learned a lot about themselves. They showed endless amounts of fight and hustle, pushing through the injuries in their front court to junior forward Miriam Ibezim, sophomore center Lianna Baxter, and sophomore forward Cam Grant. Despite their relative lack of available size, Oakland has pulled down 113 rebounds (37.7 RPG), good enough for fourth in the Horizon League. This number includes 42 total offensive rebounds (14 ORPG) which is the second most among conference teams.

The Golden Grizzlies have shined in their perimeter defense, showing the ability to swarm ball handlers and create disruptions, which has led to 26 steals over their first three contests (8.67 SPG), good enough for fourth most among Horizon League teams in the early season. 

Oakland is still finding their identity offensively in the early season, but bright flashes of offensive firepower have been apparent over their initial three games. Oakland has had a special performance from a different player each game, showing the depth needed to succeed. 

Senior Linda Van Schaik started off the season on fire against Akron, torching the Zips for 21 points (8-13 FG). In their second game graduate transfer Markyia McCormick led the way with 18 points (9-10 FT) as she notched her second straight 15-plus point performance to start the year. McCormick's ability to get to the line has been a reliable source of offense for the Golden Grizzlies, as the team has gone 44-64 from the charity stripe on the season, ranking second in makes and attempts in the conference. In their most recent game against Michigan, Oakland saw great performances from sophomore Brooke Quarles-Daniels and graduate transfer Kianni Westbrook. Quarles-Daniels had her most efficient shooting night of the season (4-8 FG) on her way to scoring ten points. Westbrook also reached ten points for the second time this season, living in the post and showing calm and deliberate post moves leading to buckets.
Their 1-2 record does not indicate their ability, and as they move through the season, these early difficult matchups could prove to be launching pads for Oakland success.

SCOUTING THE COUGARS

Cleary comes into the matchup 0-3 on the season, having lost their first three games by at least 15 points each time.

Cleary's basketball program is at its very beginning stages, with the 2023-24 season being the first time the university is sponsoring a basketball program. The Cougars are a part of the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) in the NAIA.

Over their first three outings, the Cougars have three players averaging double-digit points. Junior Amy Jackson leads the team in scoring (13 PPG), along with fellow juniors Taedom Stein (10.3 PPG) and Mileisha Rodriguez (11.7 PPG).

Catch the Golden Grizzlies compete for their second win of the season, and their first on the blacktop on Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.

Check out the game's Digital Program HERE.

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