Rochester, Mich. - Oakland made sure their first home game was their best game of the season so far!

Oakland opened up the game on an absolute tear on both ends. Right out the gate Oakland opened up a 12-3 run, stamped by a Brooke Quarles-Daniels steal and score with 6:20 left in the fourth quarter.

During their opening hot streak, senior Linda Van Schaik contributed to eight of the Golden Grizzlies' first 12 points, scoring six points of her own (2-2 3FG) and an assist. Oakland's ball movement looked much improved, passing their previous game assist totals (3) in just the first quarter, throwing five dimes in the opening frame. Despite only going 3-10 3FG in the first quarter, many of the Oakland looks from downtown were open, with the ball zipping around and moving freely within the flow of the offense.

Quarles Daniels did what she does best, defend. The sophomore guard hounded the Cleary offense, picking up three steals in just the opening ten minutes. Oakland as a team pick-pocketed the Cougars nine times to start the game.

Oakland's lead would balloon to 20 points as they ended the quarter with back-to-back buckets from Madison Royal-Davis, and a triple from Kennedie Montue. The Golden Grizzlies had full momentum, taking a 30-10 lead into quarter number two.

Oakland came out in the second quarter with the same speed they began the game with. Quarles-Daniels especially used her speed to break the Cleary 1-3-1 zone. 
It was raining threes in the second quarter for Oakland. In the midst of an early 13-3 run in the early quarter, Oakland's season scoring leader Markyia McCormick caught fire, knocking down three triples. Freshman Jasmine Dupree-Hebert followed suit, knocking down back-to-back triples of her own, igniting the OU crowd with 3:51 to go in the first half. The Golden Grizzlies dropped in six triples in the second quarter (6-9 3FG). 

Oakland had three players closing in on double-digits going into the locker room. Royal Davis led the way with 12 first-half points (5-6 FG), largely contributing to Oakland's 26-2 bench points advantage over Cleary. McCormick lit it up from beyond the arc, reaching 11 points (3-5 3FG)in the opening half. Quarles Daniels notched an impressive nine points (4-9 FG) and three steals in nine minutes, while Van Schaik ended the half with eight points (2-4 3FG).

The momentum continued to swing the way of the Golden Grizzlies in the third quarter as a Kianni Westbrook layup capped off a 9-2 for Oakland to start the half, boosting their lead to 71-28 with 7:31 left in the third quarter.

Alexis Johnson and Westbrook were everywhere in the third quarter. Even with a big lead, Johnson was all-over the court, diving for loose balls, getting steals and blocks, and leaking out in transition for points off her created turnovers. Johnson scored eight points, two blocks, and a steal in just the third quarter.

Westbrook found her scoring groove, moving without the ball and finding open spaces for six points in the quarter, helping Oakland to an 86-43 lead heading into the final quarter.
Oakland continued their offensive barrage to put Cleary away in the final quarter, breaking the century mark in points, winning 110-51.

The Golden Grizzlies not only scored a lot, but they did it efficiently, shooting 43-89 FG (.483 FG%) and 15-37 3FG (.405 3FG%).

Oakland had eight scorers reach double-digits. Royal-Davis (17, 7-11 FG), Dupree-Hebert (15, 5-8 3FG), and Johnson (16, 8-12 FG) were the catalysts for Oakland's huge win, securing season highs. McCormick (14, 4-8 FG), Westbrook (10, 5-7 FG), Van Schaik (11, 3-6 3FG), Quarles-Daniels (11, 5-11 FG), and Skorupski (10, 4-7 FG) round out the double-digit crew.

Their defense is what led to many of their offensive opportunities, as the Golden Grizzlies scored 56 points off of 38 Cleary turnovers.

"Our team did what they had to do. It was good to see a lot of people score the basketball. Shots were going in and I thought we were really unselfish with the basketball," said Oakland Head Coach Jeff Tungate. "Our defense has to get better, but it was still great to be home. There was a really good crowd for our first home game… It was great to see everybody and we hope the crowd grows as the season goes on, because this team deserves it. "

Oakland will relish this huge bounce-back win, and have a lengthy break before stepping back onto the Blacktop for their next game on Saturday, Nov. 25 as they host Madonna.