ROCHESTER, Mich. — The Golden Grizzlies moved to 2-0 at home to start the season, scoring an 80-75 victory over Miami (Oh.), using a physically dominant performance with a 42-26 rebounding advantage and 22 second-chance points to lift themselves to a win.
After trailing early, Oakland sparked a big 15-2 run in the opening quarter, using a
Cali Denson and-one and a pair of
Layla Gold free throws to go up 17-10 with 50 seconds left in the quarter. The Golden Grizzlies capped off the frame with a buzzer-beating triple by Denson as a part of an 8-for-19 field goal shooting quarter, as Oakland led 22-13.
The first quarter was an intense defensive 10 minutes, as Oakland held the Redhawks to just 5-for-15 shooting.
Oakland gained control in the second quarter with a series of key plays in the second, starting with a Gold triple to extend the Golden Grizzly lead to double-digits at 29-17 with 6:18 left in the quarter.
After a tense exchange,
Angie Smith extended the lead with a layup at 7:43. Gold and
Cali Denson each contributed a 3-pointer, pushing Oakland further ahead. The Golden Grizzlies' offense picked up the pace in the second quarter as the team looked to run in transition, with
Angie Smith and
Makenzie Luehring leading the fastbreaks. Oakland would hit their second buzzer beater in as many quarters as
Filippa Goula beat the timer, handing Oakland a 41–25 lead at halftime.
After two quarters, Gold led all scorers with 12 points (4-for-6 FG) and seven rebounds. Denson and Smith both tallied 10 points in the half as well.
The Golden Grizzlies held their widest margins from beyond he arc, draining five triples compared to none by Miami (Oh), and on the boards, widening the rebounding gap to 26 to 12, including 10 Oakland offensive rebounds in the half.
Oakland maintained their lead in the third quarter, highlighted by a pivotal stretch where they sprinted out to an 8-0, capitalized by
Angie Smith's fast-break, and-one layup at 5:48, giving Oakland their largest lead of the game at 49-31. Despite the Redhawks matching scoring efforts in the quarter, Oakland's consistent execution, including a buzzer-beater layup by Gold, ensuring a 64-48 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Gold ignited Oakland's efforts in the fourth quarter with an early jumper at 9:47, assisted by
Filippa Goula. Despite the Redhawks' attempt to close the gap, Oakland's
Lianna Baxter responded with two pivotal 3-pointers, including one at 5:59 assisted by Gold, to keep Oakland ahead. Miami (Oh) would trim the lead to as low as four (79-75), but Oakland was able to stave off a comeback to earn the win.
Oakland held off the Redhawks with consistent scoring in the paint and from beyond the arc, securing a 16-point fourth quarter, enough to withstand the Redhawks' 27-point push.
Gold filled up the stat sheet with her first career double-double, tallying 21 points (8-for-13 FG), 13 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Baxter scored 11 points herself on three triples, to go along with nine rebounds and three steals.
Angie Smith (16 points, three steals) and Denson (15 points) also added to the scoring efforts, as Denson notched her third consecutive 15+ point game to start off the season.
In their next game, Oakland will travel to Berkley, Cal. to take part in the Raise the B.A.R. Invitational, facing Harvard University on Saturday, Nov. 15.
