Women's Basketball Returns Home to Face Colonials Before Single Road Game in Youngstown

ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies aim to continue to climb the Horizon League ladder as they play one game each at home and on the road this week, taking on the Colonials and the Penguins in what could be a successful week for Oakland.

After splitting their Wisconsin road trip last week, earning a 75-72 win over Milwaukee and falling 39-69 at Green Bay, the Golden Grizzlies are eager to face two teams that sit lower than them in the standings.

Coming into the moment, Oakland is 3-1 against teams that sit below them in the conference standings, as the Golden Grizzlies currently land in fifth place.

THURSDAY, JAN. 23 vs ROBERT MORRIS | 7 PM | ESPN+

The Colonials and the Golden Grizzlies prepare to meet for the first time this season, after Oakland swept Robert Morris in both of last year's matchups.

Oakland is 7-2 all-time against the Colonials, having won four of their last five games played against each other. The Golden Grizzlies are 5-0 all-time at home against Robert Morris, looking to keep that perfect record intact.

Despite a struggling start to the season, holding a 2-7 record in conference play, Robert Morris ended a five-game losing streak with a 67-61 win over Youngstown State on Jan. 18.

While being a top five defensive team in the conference, holding opponents to just under 62 points per game, the Colonials themselves struggle mightily on the offensive end, ranking as the worst scoring team in the league at 58.2 points per game. They are also the worst shooting team from beyond the arc, having hit just 74 threes in 18 games at a .250 clip.

A team like Oakland that can heat up in a hurry with shooters like Macy Smith and Maddy Skorupski, along with role players like Lianna Baxter, Jazzy Dupree-Hebert, and Maddy Rendall who can all light it up from range, may spell danger for the Colonials.

SUNDAY, JAN. 26 @ YOUNGSTOWN STATE | 2 PM | ESPN+

Returning to the road for a single game, Oakland will face the Penguins in their finale of the week.

The Penguins swept Oakland in both of their meetings last season, helping Youngstown State reach four straight victories over the Golden Grizzlies.

Coming into the week, Youngstown State has been the losers of five out of the last six, losing 61-67 to Robert Morris on Jan. 18.

With a 3-6 conference record (8-11 overall), the Penguins hope to avoid sliding even further back in the standings, with them, IU Indy, and Northern Kentucky deadlocked in spots six through eight.

Similar to the Colonials, the Penguins play a defensive-minded style, holding their opponents to the fourth worst field goal percentage (.397) and the worst three point percentage (.303).

Youngstown State has been the beneficiary of some amazing individual play, specifically from senior guard Jewell Watkins, whose 14.1 points per game is top ten in the Horizon League.

If Oakland were to come away this week with a pair of wins, they could potentially move into a tie with Detroit Mercy for fourth in the conference, setting up a high-stakes matchup with the Titans next week.

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Players Mentioned

#40 Lianna Baxter: C; 6' 2"; Freshman

#2 Maddy Skorupski: G; 5' 8"; Junior

#10 Maddy Rendall: G; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#12 Macy Smith: G; 5' 10"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#40 Lianna Baxter
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: C

#2 Maddy Skorupski
: 5' 8"; Junior
: G

#10 Maddy Rendall
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: G

#12 Macy Smith
: 5' 10"; Senior
: G