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Women's Basketball Jordan Nelson

Oakland Sets Up for Defensive Showdown on the Road Against Robert Morris

Rochester, Mich. - On the heels of a close loss to YSU on Wednesday, Oakland looks to rebound and get in sync against Robert Morris for game number two of a three game road stint.

This game shapes up to be a defensive slugfest between two top defensive teams. Oakland's pesky full-court defense remains to be a problem for opponents, speeding up the game to Oakland's preferred pace. The Golden Grizzlies force a league-high 23.8 turnovers per game while the Golden Grizzlies grab 12.9 steals per game, also top of the league. 

On the other side, Robert Morris specializes in making life difficult for their opponents in the half court, leading the league in opponent field goal percentage (.373 FG%) and blocked shots (4.15 bpg).

Despite lacking relative size in the post, Oakland is more than equipped down low, shown by their sensational rebounding numbers as of late.

Acting Coach Deanna Richard even said rebounding was something that the team needed to improve, and that they took it to heart. The Golden Grizzlies have out-rebounded their opponents 79 to 65 in their last two games. The offensive glass has also been a strength for the Golden Grizzlies, grabbing a total of 38 offensive boards to their opponents' 13 in the two-game span.

Individually on the glass, Miriam Ibezim and Linda Van Schaik both set career highs in rebounds over the last two games as Ibezim pulled down 13 boards, eight offensive, against Northern Kentucky while Van Schaik snagged 13 of her own against Youngstown State.

Offensively Oakland went cold from the floor last time out, but they appear very close to putting things together on that end of the floor, with several players hitting their best stretches of the season right now. 

Alexis Johnson has been on a scoring tear in Oakland's last two games, averaging 17.5 ppg while shooting .538 FG% (14-26) and .455 3FG% (5-11 3FG). Her efficiency has been an offensive catalyst, especially when the Golden Grizzlies hit a cold stretch like they did against YSU.

McCormick has upped her scoring recently, following a few down games scoring wise after leading the team in points after the first few games of the year. She has averaged 15.5 ppg over the last two games, and while she is only shooting .387 FG% (12-31 FG), she continues to be a hub of offense for Oakland, using open driving lanes to create lanes and opportunities for her teammates.

Oakland's lead playmaker on both sides of the ball has been Brooke Quarles-Daniels, who notched her first double-double of the season against YSU with 15 points and 11 rebounds, extending her streak of games scoring in double-digits to four.

Looking to take those positives into the next game, Oakland wants to keep building on good performances and finally put a good offensive outing together with their solid defensive scheme. 

Oakland's offensive efficiency has been up and down, with the numbers being day and night in wins and losses. In wins this season, Oakland shoots .457 FG% and .377 3FG%, while in losses those numbers drop to .326 FG% and .255 3FG%. Ranking second in the Horizon League in team ppg (75.6), Oakland has shown they are explosive and can score in bunches, holding 5-0 when scoring 70 or more points in a game. With Robert Morris being one of the top defensive teams in the league, Oakland's offense will need to be as sharp and quick-flowing as it has been all year this weekend.

The history between the Golden Grizzlies and the Colonials is not as storied as many other league matchups, with RMU joining the Horizon League before the 2020-21 season. The two teams have only faced off six times, with Oakland winning four of those games. However, Robert Morris is the most recent victor in the series, handing Oakland a thirty-point loss (43-74) on Feb. 11, 2023. Oakland will be looking to break a road team curse in the series, with the home team yet to lose in this all-time matchup. Oakland holds a 4-0 record at home against Robert Morris, but also hold a 0-2 record when traveling to Pennsylvania. 

SCOUTING THE COLONIALS

Robert Morris comes into the game on a two-game losing skid, dropping back-to-back games against Wright State and Purdue Fort Wayne. This game serves as the final home game in a stretch where five of their last six games have been on their home court. After hosting Oakland, Robert Morris will hit a three-game road trip, including back-to-back Wisconsin games at Milwaukee (1/11) and Green Bay (1/13).

The Colonials pride themselves on the defensive end, much like the Golden Grizzlies. Their defense is anchored by junior center Danielle Vuletich, who ranks third in the league in rebounds (7.8 rpg) and blocks (1.4 bpg). She also ranks second on the team in ppg (8.50), behind junior guard Simone Morris, who averages 11.57 ppg.

Catch this defensive showdown at the UPMC Center in Moon Township, PA. on Sunday, Jan. 7 at 12 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Miriam Ibezim

#33 Miriam Ibezim

F
6' 2"
Sophomore
Brooke Quarles-Daniels

#5 Brooke Quarles-Daniels

PG
5' 7"
Freshman
Alexis Johnson

#23 Alexis Johnson

F
5' 10"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Miriam Ibezim

#33 Miriam Ibezim

6' 2"
Sophomore
F
Brooke Quarles-Daniels

#5 Brooke Quarles-Daniels

5' 7"
Freshman
PG
Alexis Johnson

#23 Alexis Johnson

5' 10"
Junior
F