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UNLEASH THE GRIZZ

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WBB vs MIA (OH)

Women's Basketball Jordan Nelson

Oakland Ends Home-Stand With League Battle against NKU

Rochester, Mich. -  The Golden Grizzlies return to the court, post-holiday, as they ready up for league play against Northern Kentucky.

Until this point, the majority of Oakland's games have been against non-conference teams. In their first ten games, roughly ⅓ of the way through the season, Oakland hovers just below .500 with a record of 4-6. Seeing many different looks from teams across the Midwest, Oakland has gone 2-2 against MAC teams, 0-2 against Big Ten opponents, 2-0 against WHAC teams, and 0-2 in Horizon League play thus far.

The Golden Grizzlies are a week removed from a heartbreaking loss to Miami (OH), where it took an overtime buzzer-beating shot for the Redhawks to take a 68-66 victory.

Brooke Quarles-Daniels, who finished with a career-high 22-points (9-17 FG) in the effort. The Sophomore is starting to re-emerge as one of Oakland's go-to offensive playmakers, averaging 19 points, five rebounds, and two and a half assists over the last two games. The reigning Horizon League Freshman of the Year is also seeing a rise in efficiency as the season progresses, shooting .380 FG% now after the first ten games, much improved from her early season marks.

Quarles-Daniels also continues to be the lead defender on the Golden Grizzlies, with her total-season steals total raising to 26 steals, leading the conference. In fact, Quarles-Daniels has secured at least two steals in seven of the team's first ten games.

Maddy Skorupski, another sophomore guard, has also been a shining star in Oakland's play recently. The MSU transfer has brought instant offense to the lineup whenever she is inserted into the game, leading the Golden Grizzlies bench players in points per game (10.89 ppg). Her 15-point performance against Miami (OH) was a huge reason why Oakland was able to hang around and stay within striking distance.

The backcourt play of Oakland will be their strength heading into the most important part of their season now. The feisty guard play of leading defender Quarles-Daniels, leading scorer Markyia McCormick, and Skorupski seems to often be the difference maker for Oakland in many of their games.

In the frontcourt, all Oakland needs is consistency. Often coming in undersized, Oakland has to lean heavily on the performances of Miriam Ibezim and Kianni Westbrook for low post play on both sides of the ball. After missing a few early games because of an ankle injury, Ibezim has settled into the Oakland lineup. Her strength and physicality on the boards is exactly what Oakland will need against a NKU team that has eight players listed above 5'11. Westbrook seems to be adjusting to her changed role, as the starting five spot now belongs to Ibezim, Westbrook is flourishing in her off-the-bench role. Her mobility, length, and offensive footwork are second to none and prove to be a winning factor.

Despite a 6-10 record against NKU all-time, Oakland has won the previous two matchups against the Norse, including a 79-76 victory last season (2/25/23). In that game Oakland had five players score in double figures, including 14 points from Linda Van Scaik, 12 points from both Quarles-Daniels and Johnson, and a team-high 18 points from current Oakland Grad Assistant Raquel Ferrer-Bernad.

SCOUTING THE NORSE

NKU comes into the game with a 2-8 record, sitting in tenth place in the Horizon League. On a two-game losing streak, the Norse are looking to turn over a new leaf with the beginning of league play after a rocky start to the season.

Despite a losing record, NKU has the fifth leading scorer in the league, Khamari Mitchell-Steen, who averages 14.6 points per game. She is a two-way player as well, being one of only four players to average two steals per game thus far, joining Oakland's very own guards Quarles-Daniels and Skorupski.

The guard play looks to be electric in this league play opening matchup. See Oakland host their final game of the calendar year this Friday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m. at the OU Credit Union O'rena. See the full game program HERE.

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Players Mentioned

Miriam Ibezim

#33 Miriam Ibezim

F
6' 2"
Sophomore
Raquel Ferrer-Bernad

#2 Raquel Ferrer-Bernad

G
5' 6"
Graduate Student
Brooke Quarles-Daniels

#5 Brooke Quarles-Daniels

PG
5' 7"
Freshman
Markyia McCormick

#10 Markyia McCormick

G
5' 6"
Graduate Student
Maddy Skorupski

#2 Maddy Skorupski

G
5' 8"
Sophomore
Kianni Westbrook

#12 Kianni Westbrook

F
6' 3"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Miriam Ibezim

#33 Miriam Ibezim

6' 2"
Sophomore
F
Raquel Ferrer-Bernad

#2 Raquel Ferrer-Bernad

5' 6"
Graduate Student
G
Brooke Quarles-Daniels

#5 Brooke Quarles-Daniels

5' 7"
Freshman
PG
Markyia McCormick

#10 Markyia McCormick

5' 6"
Graduate Student
G
Maddy Skorupski

#2 Maddy Skorupski

5' 8"
Sophomore
G
Kianni Westbrook

#12 Kianni Westbrook

6' 3"
Graduate Student
F