ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies return to action Monday, playing game one of a four-game road stretch as they face Loyola Chicago.

Oakland is a week removed from its last game, a 72-55 home loss to Cleveland State on Dec. 6. Despite the setback, the Golden Grizzlies found several positives, including a strong defensive effort. They forced the Vikings into 21 turnovers with smothering full-court pressure and sharp point-of-attack defense led by guards Makenzie Luehring and Jazzy Dupree-Hebert, who combined for six of Oakland's 10 steals.

The Golden Grizzlies also had success from beyond the arc, going 8-for-19 (.421) from deep, the fifth game this season in which they have made eight or more 3-pointers. With 58 total makes from long range, Oakland ranks fifth in the Horizon League.

Monday's matchup marks the first-ever meeting between Oakland and Loyola Chicago, but there will be a familiar element in play: Oakland head coach Keisha Newell returns to her alma mater. Newell was named to the 2007-08 Horizon League All-Freshman Team and averaged 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists during her three-year playing career with the Ramblers.

This season, Loyola Chicago has sputtered to a 2-7 record, losing seven of its last eight games. The Ramblers most recently fell 58-45 to Western Michigan on Dec. 7.
Loyola Chicago has struggled on the offensive end, ranking last in the Atlantic 10 in scoring (50.3 ppg), field-goal percentage (.349), 3-point percentage (.232) and made 3-pointers (39). Freshman guard Alez-Anne Bessette leads the Ramblers with 10.6 points per game.

Bessette will be matched up with a deep rotation of Oakland guards: Luehring, Angie Smith, Filippa Goula and Cali Denson, all of whom provide playmaking threats on both ends of the floor.

The Golden Grizzlies and Ramblers tip off at noon ET on Monday, Dec. 15, at Gentile Arena in Chicago.