ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland prepares for round one of the Horizon League Championship as they host Northern Kentucky on Tuesday, Mar. 5 at 7 p.m.

Despite a 71-92 loss in the regular season finale against IUPUI, the Golden Grizzlies' pair of big late season wins against Milwaukee and Wright State were enough to clinch the eight seed in the league, securing a first round home game.

Oakland finishes the regular season in the top echelon of many league stats. Defensively, the Golden Grizzlies have been known all season for their on-ball pressure and ability to intercept passing lanes, ranking first in steals (340) and steals per game (12.14) while having the number one turnover margin (5.21), forcing the most total turnovers (564), and forcing the most turnovers per game (20.1) while having the second least amount of turnovers themselves (418).

Offensively, Oakland ends as the third highest scoring team in the league, averaging 71.7 points per game. Their presence in the paint is often unmatched as they put pressure on the rim, ranking second in the league in attempted free throws (636) and made shots at the charity stripe (426). They also rank third in rebounding (36.6 rebounds per game) and first in grabbing offensive boards (14.9).

The Golden Grizzlies now move forward one game at a time, each being a win or go home situation. The season series is split between Oakland and NKU. The Golden Grizzlies beat the Norse 89-79 on Dec. 12, 2023 while the Norse won the most recent matchup on Feb. 2, winning 90-82. Both teams won their game at home, meaning The Golden Grizzlies will feel much more comfortable with the game being on the Blacktop. NKU is also only 4-10 on the road this season.

In both games against the Norse the Oakland backcourt duo of Brooke Quarles-Daniels and Markyia McCormick has been dynamic. Against NKU this season McCormick is averaging 17 ppg and is shooting .500 from the floor. Quarles-Daniels is averaging 17.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, shooting .455, and has tallied five steals. The guard pairing will need to continue to be the main engine for the team to secure a win.

As a team, the Golden Grizzlies have averaged 85.5 points per game against NKU, along with 12.5 steals per game, and 36.5 rebounds per game. Over two games, Oakland has shot .431 from the floor and .326 from three against their first round opponent. 

SCOUTING THE NORSE

NKU comes into the first round of the Horizon League Championships having lost three of their last four games, including an 81-69 loss to Cleveland State on Mar. 2, which cemented their number nine seed.

While having a rough road record on the year (4-10), They have won three of their last four road games to finish the season.

The Norse have two of the premier players in the league. Freshman Carter McCray has burst onto the scene in her first year, averaging a double-double with 15 ppg and 10.8 rpg, while also averaging 1.6 spg.

They also have Macey Blevins and Khamari Mitchell-Steen who both average over 13 ppg and have had a particularly strong second half of the season.

Catch matchup number three between Oakland and NKU to see who keeps their chances of going to Indy on Tuesday, Mar. 5 at 7 p.m at the OU Credit Union O'rena.

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