ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies women's basketball team opens its season at home with the third annual Math Hoops game against Cleary.

Oakland welcomes the Cougars for the teams' fourth all-time meeting, with the Golden Grizzlies winning each of the previous three matchups while scoring 90-plus points in every victory.

Last season, the Golden Grizzlies topped the Cougars 90-32, with six Oakland players scoring more than eight points. As a team, Oakland shot 50.7% (36-for-71) from the floor while holding Cleary to just 20% (11-for-55) shooting from the field and 23.5% (4-for-17) from beyond the arc.

Makenzie Luehring and Sereniti Roberts-Adams both poured in 11 points in last year's meeting with Cleary. Luehring added four assists and six rebounds, while Roberts-Adams grabbed six rebounds and shot a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.

The Golden Grizzlies look to replicate last year's defensive performance as they establish their defensive identity for the season. Oakland aims to remain physical on defense, crash the boards and use its disruptive backcourt defenders to create offensive opportunities in transition.

Team leader in steals and Preseason Horizon League Player of the Year Makenzie Luehring will spearhead Oakland's efforts. The sophomore averaged 15.6 points, 1.4 steals and 4.5 rebounds per game during her freshman season. She will be paired with Angie Smith in Oakland's backcourt. Before missing the final portion of last season with a shoulder injury, Smith averaged 10.3 points, nearly one steal and 4.0 rebounds per game. She returns as one of the league's fiercest on-ball defenders and a relentless attacker on offense.

Oakland also boasts increased defensive firepower in the front court. Lianna Baxter is poised to hold a sizable role as a rim-protecting presence who can also stretch the floor offensively. Returning team leader in blocks (1.1 per game) Layla Gold and rangy 6-foot-4 forward Milagros Morell will also be key factors in Oakland's defensive efforts, bringing the ability to protect the rim and disrupt opposing offenses.

Monday's matchup will be Cleary's third game of the season, as the Cougars enter with a 1-1 record. They opened their season with an 87-44 loss to Spring Arbor on Oct. 22 but bounced back with an 88-53 win over Kuyper on Oct. 27.

Through two games, the Cougars are led by guard Reese Williams, who is averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds per game, both team highs.

With a .434 field-goal percentage through the early portion of the season, Oakland will look to make things difficult for the Cougars in Monday's matchup.

The game will provide one of the rowdiest atmospheres the Blacktop will see all season, with a sold-out crowd of school-aged children attending as part of field trips for the special Math Hoops game. The Golden Grizzlies will look to use that home-court advantage to their benefit as they pursue their fifth consecutive season-opening victory.

The game is set for 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, and will be streamed on ESPN+.