Rochester, Mich. - Following their big win in the home opener against Cleary, Women's Basketball is looking to keep their momentum in full swing as they host Madonna on Saturday.

The Golden Grizzlies dominated from start to finish against Cleary, pulling out a 110-51 victory. The team was firing on all cylinders, offensively and defensively.

Oakland shot 15-37 from downtown, capitalizing on elite floor-spacing and showing their depth from beyond the arc. Sophomore Maddy Skorupski (2-2 3FG), graduate student Markyia McCormick (4-8 3FG) , senior Linda Van Schaik (3-6 FG), and freshman Jasmine Dupree Hebert (5-8 3FG) all hit multiple threes as parts of the deep-range downpour from Oakland.

In many ways, Oakland's defense was their offense. They used active hands on defense to get them out in transition regularly. 25 steals led to 52 points in the paint, 56 points off turnovers, and 25 fast break points for Oakland, all season high totals.

Oakland is starting to find their rhythm, and the benefits of a tough three-game schedule to start the season may be starting to show. Sophomore Brooke Quarles-Daniels has begun to look like the rounded player she showed to be last season, shooting nearly .500 FG% from the field in her previous two games. Her defensive prowess has also been the glue for Oakland's defense. Quarles-Daniels has secured at least one steal in every game so far.

Another bright spot for Oakland has been the sharpshooting of freshman Jasmine Dupree Hebert. After a DNP at Akron, Dupree-Hebert had some positive minutes in Oakland's contest against Michigan State, knocking down a three. After a 1-4 FG outing against Michigan, the freshman finally had her break-out performance with a career high night against Cleary, earning an essential spot in the Oakland rotation as one of the best shooters on the squad. She is shooting a red-hot .545 3FG% and .571 FG%, showing she is not only a high-profile scorer, but that she is efficient.

While the players are building on-court chemistry and finding a rhythm, there will be a new adjustment for Oakland on the bench.

Head Coach Jeff Tungate is slated to miss Saturday's game, and more, due to an urgent spinal surgery. Assistant Coach Deanna Richard will serve as Acting Head Coach during Tungate's absence. Richard, a second year Assistant Coach, is very familiar with the Oakland Basketball program. Richard is a former player, specializing in her three-point shooting. She holds the top two spots in program history for most three-point field goals made in a season with 106 (1994-95) and 96 (1995-96). Richard is part of the 1K point club in Oakland Basketball history, having scored 1,333 career points at Oakland.

Richard will lead Oakland into the game, looking to remain defeated all-time against Madonna. The Golden Grizzlies and Crusaders have only matched up once before, on Dec. 19, 2022 where Oakland took a large margin of victory, 94-52 at the OU Credit Union O'rena. In that matchup, now senior Alexis Johnson was the leading scorer with 15 points (7-13 FG). 

SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS

Madonna shares a conference (WHAC) with Oakland's previous opponent, Cleary. 

The Crusaders enter the game with a 2-3 record, losing their most recent outing to Cornerstone University 65-80.

Madonna's leading scorer is guard Aaliyah McQueen, who comes into the Oakland matchup averaging 14.3 PPG. If the name sounds familiar, that's because McQueen spent two seasons at Oakland from 2021-23 where she appeared in 39 games, grabbing 20 steals and scoring 110 points.

Catch Oakland's second of three straight home games on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the OU Credit Union Orena.

Check out the game's Digital Program HERE.

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