ROCHESTER, Mich. — Oakland travels to St. Paul, Minnesota, to face St. Thomas (Minn.) in a midweek matchup as both teams look to find their footing early in the 2025-26 season.
After starting 2-1, the Golden Grizzlies have dropped their last three games, most recently falling to one of the nation's top offenses in Michigan State. During the skid, Oakland has faced three high-level opponents, showing strong efforts in each game.
Layla Gold shined in Oakland's game in East Lansing, as she scored a team-high 13 points (4-for-10 FG, 3-for-6 3FG), while grabbing six rebounds. Averaging a team-best 5.5 rebounds per game, snagging five or more boards in four games, Gold has cemented herself as a key piece on the wing for the Golden Grizzlies.
Oakland has found early success from beyond the arc, tallying 38 made 3-pointers this season, tied for fourth most in the Horizon League. The Golden Grizzlies also have been strong on the boards, averaging 39.8 rebounds per game, including 13.5 offensive rebounds. Both marks rank second in the conference. Their rebounding advantage has fueled transition opportunities and second-chance 3-point attempts.
Oakland and St. Thomas will meet for the second time and for the second straight season. This will be their first matchup in St. Paul after last year's inaugural meeting resulted in a 73-62 St. Thomas win at the O'Rena.
St. Thomas enters the game 1-5 after a 63-55 loss to UC Irvine at the SRC/ConocoPhillips Great Alaska Shootout. Despite its record, St. Thomas is one of the top defensive teams in the Summit League, holding opponents to 62 points per game, the third-best mark in the conference. The Tommies also rank third in the league in 3-point shooting at 34%.
Forward Alyssa Sand leads St. Thomas with averages of 15 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.2% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range.
St. Thomas is winless at home through three games at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena. Oakland is also searching for its first road win of the season.
Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT (2 p.m. ET) on Wednesday, Nov. 26, in St. Paul.
