ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Oakland Golden Grizzlies men's basketball team is back in the buckeye state for some Horizon League action as they take on Youngstown State on New Year's Day inside the Beeghly Center on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. ET.

The Golden Grizzlies (6-8, 2-1 HL) dropped a tough defensive outing against Wright State, 88-73, on Monday to move to 2-1 in Horizon League action.

Senior Brody Robinson led the team with 27 points – tying his career-high this season – converting five from beyond the arc and making 10 of 13 free throws. Fifth-year Tuburu Naivalurua added on 18 points for the second consecutive game, connecting on six field goals and securing seven rebounds, while fifth-year Michael Houge posted his first Golden Grizzly double-double, recording 13 points and collecting a season-high 12 rebounds.

Robinson was named to the Lou Henson Award Early Season Watch List. The Houston native is leading the Golden Grizzlies in scoring (16.8 ppg) and assists (5.9 apg) – ranked 30th in the nation in dishing passes and 18th with 81 total assists this season. The 5'10" shooter picked up a double-double (12 points, 10 assists) against Lamar, and shot a career-high 27 points against Purdue Fort Wayne and Wright State.

Tip-off in Youngstown will be available to stream on ESPN+ with Robb Schmidt (PxP) and Ron Potesta (Color) on the call. The Voice of the Golden Grizzlies, Neal Ruhl, will also be on the radio call on 97.1HD-3/1270am or the Audacy App online.


SCOUTING THE PENGUINS
Building a strong team under second-year head coach Ethan Faulkner, the Penguins were voted just below Oakland to finish the league in third place according to the #HLMBB Preseason Poll. Youngstown State owns an 8-6 overall record in the 2025-26 season, posting .500 at 2-2 in the Horizon League with wins over Wright State and IU Indy. Named to the 2025-26 Preseason All-League First Team, senior Cris Carroll is leading YSU with 17.1 ppg and ranked second in the Horizon. On the other side of the ball, the Penguins are second in the league in scoring defense (69.3 points) and scoring margin this season (9.6).

The Golden Grizzlies lead the all-time series with Youngstown State at 23-14, yet have dropped the last two meetings during the regular season with final scores of 84-75 (2/6/25) and 66-50 (12/7/24).


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.