MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - The Golden Grizzlies secured their first conference win of the season, using some late game defensive heroics, to best Robert Morris with a 61-58 victory on Monday, capitalizing on a crucial 20 points off turnovers.
Oakland opened the first quarter with a strong shooting performance, nailing back-to-back threes right out the gate to take a 6-2 lead. However, the Colonials responded with a series of plays to overtake the lead, sparking an 11-0 run to make the score 13-6 in their favor with 4:26 left in the quarter.
The Golden Grizzlies would claw back behind a perimeter-centric attack, taking eight of their 13 field goal attempts from beyond the arc, going 3-for-8 from deep in the opening frame.
Oakland seized a brief lead midway through the second quarter taking a 20-19 lead as a fast-break layup by
Layla Gold capped off a 7-0 Oakland run. This momentum was maintained as Luehring's 3-pointer at 2:02 kept Oakland competitive, narrowing the gap to 30–28. Despite a late free throw conversion by Luehring after a steal, Oakland trailed the Colonials 33–31 at the end of the quarter.
Both teams made seven field goals and three triples in the second quarter. Luehring led the way for Oakland with 12 points, drilling three from deep in the first half of action.
The two teams traded the first seven buckets of the second half, as Oakland started the quarter 4-for-8 from the field. Oakland dominated the paint, with Baxter scoring back-to-back layups, the latter giving Oakland a 42-41 lead at 4:53. Despite the Colonials tying the game multiple times, Smith's layup at 0:09 brought Oakland within one point, ending the quarter trailing 47-46.
The Golden Grizzlies defense was stellar in the third, holding the Colonials to jus four made field goals (4-for-17 FG) in the frame. Smith and Baxter led the charge in the third, combining for 10 of Oakland's 15 points in the quarter.
The fourth quarter was a roller coaster of events, with Baxter giving the Golden Grizzlies a 48-47 lead with nine minutes left. Robert Morris reacted with a 9-0 run to take a 58-50 lead, their largest since the first quarter, with 4:41 remaining.
Smith would slither through the lane for a late layup, while Dupree-Hebert's 3-pointer at 2:18 brought Oakland within three points. Smith then closed the gap with a layup at 0:21, assisted by Gold, cutting the Colonials' lead to one.
Down one with the game on the line Luehring would come up huge on the defensive end, stealing a RMU inbounds pass and scoring a fast-break layup at 0:15, giving Oakland a 59-58 lead. Dupree-Hebert's would follow with a dagger seal and crucial free throw at 0:05 extended their advantage, sealing the win. Oakland finished strong, outscoring the Colonials 15-11 in the final frame and ending the game on an 11-0 run.
Luehring led the way with a career-high 17 points (5-for-17 FG), knocking down four 3-pointers, dishing out a career-high eight assists, and three steals. Smith contributed 10 points, converting on five of nine field-goal attempts. Baxter added 13 points and recorded one block. Dupree-Hebert finished with a season-high seven points and four assists, alongside one steal.
The next challenge for Oakland is a home matchup against Purdue Fort Wayne. The game is set for Friday, Jan. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the OU Credit Union O'rena in Rochester, Michigan.
