TOLEDO, Ohio - Behind a career day from DQ Cole, the Golden Grizzlies got back into the win column as it defeated the Toledo Rockets, 85-52, tonight inside Savage Arena.

The Golden Grizzlies (2-4, 0-0 HL) were led by Cole who recorded career-highs in points (22) and three-pointers made (6), as Buru Naivalurua recorded his second career double-double and matched his career-high in points with 16 and brought down 13 boards.

The Rockets (5-3, 0-0 MAC) saw a trio of players record double-digit points as Sonny Wilson led the team with 13 points, as Javan Simmons led the team off the glass with eight boards.

Oakland set the tone early with Naivalurua scoring the game's first points on a jumper in the paint just under a minute into the contest. While both teams struggled to find rhythm in the opening minutes, Naivalurua and Allen Mukeba capitalized on second-chance opportunities to give Oakland an early edge.

Cole provided the offensive spark midway through the half, hitting a pair of three-pointers, including one off a crisp assist from Cooper Craggs, to extend the Golden Grizzlies' lead.
Toledo briefly rallied and knotted things up with 7:41 left. However, Oakland answered with a run fueled by Cole and Mukeba's inside dominance. Naivalurua added a key layup late in the half, and Jaylen Jones capped the scoring with a last-second layup to send Oakland into the locker room up, 34-23.

The Golden Grizzlies shot 14-of-29 (.483) from the field and sank five from range, as the Rockets were 10-of-31 (.323) from the floor with just one make from range.

Oakland's momentum carried into the second half as Mukeba asserted himself early, converting a put-back layup and another contested finish inside to stretch the lead to 38-25. As Toledo attempted to fight back, Oakland's defense clamped down, holding the Rockets scoreless for a five-minute stretch. Jayson Woodrich knocked down a corner three to push the lead further, while Cole continued his sharpshooting display, finishing with a game-high 22 points, including five triples.

Oakland's bench stepped up in the latter stages, with contributions from Jeremiah Bembry. The Golden Grizzlies outscored the Rockets, 51-29, in the second half, shooting .606 from the field and connecting on six three-pointers. The Golden Grizzlies' defense forced 15 turnovers, turning them into 21 points on the other end, as Oakland outrebounded Toledo, 39-29.

Oakland returns to the OU Credit Union O'rena Thursday (Dec. 5) as it opens up Horizon League play against Wright State, with tip-off slated for 7:00 p.m. ET. The league opener will be streamed live on ESPN+. All Oakland games this season will be live streamed through audio via The Bet1270 AM (WXYT-AM) & the Audacy App with Neal Ruhl on the call.