ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies Men's Basketball Team is set to host the Wright State Raiders in a dual for first place in the Horizon League on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 3 p.m. ET. In the first broadcast of its kind on the Blacktop in four years, Oakland and Wright State will play on a nationally televised broadcast on ESPN2.
Oakland (9-8, 5-1 HL) secured another Horizon League victory over Cleveland State, 97-74, to stay tied in the top spot in the league.
Senior Ziare Wells recorded a season-high total of 23 points, connecting on 10 of 17 shots from the field, picking up eight rebounds, and added in three steals. Fifth-year Michael Houge recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, making all eight of his free throw attempts as junior Isaac Garrett also connected for a double-double, contributing 12 points and 10 rebounds while blocking two shots and recording at least 12 total points in his third consecutive game. Senior Brody Robinson posted 13 points, delivered 10 assists — exceeding his season average of 5.56 — and tallied three steals.
On Monday, Garrett was named the Under Armour Horizon League Player of the Week for the first time in his career. Garrett led the Golden Grizzlies to a 2-1 record over the week in Horizon League action, picking up big wins over Youngstown State and defending Horizon League Champion, Robert Morris. The Pleasant Grove, Utah native hit career-highs, scoring 27 points against the Penguins and hit 30 points against the Colonials at home. The 6-8 forward earned his third double-double of the season in Youngstown, along with the 27 points, picking up a season-high 14 rebounds off the glass. He earned his way into the Oakland record book, going 16-for-16 from the line, now the third-most free-throw attempts with 100% accuracy.
Tip-off in Rochester will be available to watch live on ESPN2 with Jordan Berfield (PxP) and Tim Welsh (Color) on the call. The "Voice of the Golden Grizzlies", Neal Ruhl, will be on radio on 97.1HD-3/1270am or the Audacy App online.
SCOUTING THE RAIDERS
The Raiders' Michael Cooper continues to lead Wright State with 15.4 points/game, as WSU continues to lead the league in scoring defense (69.7). Standing in first place in the league along with Oakland, WSU's lone Horizon League loss was a one-point battle at Youngstown State, where Michael Imariagbe led the Raiders with a 15-point, three-rebound effort against a 44.6% shooting from the field from Youngstown State.
The last meeting between OU and WSU was earlier in Dayton, as the Raiders drove through the Golden Grizzlies, 88-73. 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. Naivalurua added 18 points for the second consecutive game, connecting on six field goals and securing seven rebounds, while Houge posted his first Golden Grizzly double-double, recording 13 points and collecting a season-high 12 rebounds.
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.
