WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Despite a highly contested first half and entering halftime with a tie, Purdue (2-0, 0-0 B1G) held off Oakland (0-2, 0-0 HL) in an 87-77 victory at Mackey Arena Friday night. The Golden Grizzlies managed to score 40 points in the paint, showcasing their inside game, but Purdue's 13 three-pointers proved decisive. Despite Oakland's efforts, including a strong rebounding performance with 39 total boards, Purdue's 52-point surge in the second half secured the win.

"We didn't make 10 three's or one specific guy going nuts," said head coach Greg Kampe. "This was a hell of a basketball game. It was a high level, intense, powerful, physical basketball game that was played by two really good teams. We had our chances and we should really be proud of the fact that after a tied half because of a made three after a mistake, they busted us to start the second half -- like the number one team should --  we took it right in the chest and we kept on going. 

In his first Golden Grizzly double-double, senior Ziare Wells led the way with 21 points and collected 12 rebounds. Sophomore Nassim Mashhour contributed 15 points, including three made shots beyond the arc, as fifth-year Tuburu Naivalurua showed off his big man defense with seven rebounds and two blocks, while adding in 11 points. Senior Brody Robinson added 11 points, including a fast break layup and made two steals on the other side of the ball.

The game commenced with Oakland quickly asserting themselves as Mashhour hit a fast-break from downtown at 18:28. Oakland's offensive efforts were supported by strong rebounding, securing a total of 27 boards in the half with Wells contributing significantly on both ends of the floor. The team managed to score effectively inside, with 16 points in the paint. Despite the Boilermakers' attempts to counter, including a tying 3-pointer with just 5 seconds left, Oakland maintained a competitive edge throughout as the first half concluded with the teams deadlocked at 35-35.

Junior Isaac Garrett's early dunk at 18:57 briefly put Oakland ahead 39–37, but the Boilermakers quickly responded with a sequence that shifted momentum. Despite Oakland's efforts to tie the game with a jumper by Mashhour at 14:45, the Boilermakers maintained a slim lead. Wells contributed consistently, including a jumper in the paint at 6:53 to keep Oakland within five points. However, the Boilermakers' perimeter shooting extended their lead. Purdue's late scoring run secured the 87–77 victory as the game concluded.

Oakland is on to its final top-10 matchup of the season with a contest down south with the 2025 national runner-up, No. 2 Houston, on Wednesday November 12. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.


How to Follow Oakland Men's Basketball: For complete information on Oakland Men's Basketball follow the team on X at @OaklandMBB and head coach Greg Kampe at @KampeOU. The team is also on Instagram and Facebook.