ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland Men's Basketball is back on the Blacktop for the first time in 11 days as they play host to Youngstown State in the OU Credit Union O'rena on Thursday, Feb. 12. Action starts at 7 p.m. ET.
The Golden Grizzlies (14-11, 10-4 HL) fell to Cleveland State, 91-78, last Wednesday inside Woodling Gymnasium for the first time in program history.
Fifth-year Tuburu Naivalurua scored 22 points, hitting 10 of 13 field goal attempts, and added two blocks. Senior Brody Robinson tied up with his teammate with 22 points, converting 10 of 12 free throws, recording eight assists, and five boards. Big man fifth-year Michael Houge netted 15 points, marking his fourth consecutive game scoring at least 15 points, and collected nine rebounds while also making two steals. Redshirt-freshman Warren Marshall IV continued his hot streak defensively, with five blocks and grabbed a career-high eight rebounds.
Robinson is getting national attention for his marks in assists and free throws this season. The point guard is ranked 12th in the NCAA in total assists (160 assists) and 15th in assists/game (6.4 apg). From the line, the Houston native is second in the country in three throws made, netting 167 shots from the line this season as he leads the country in free throw attempts with 215 tries.
Tip-off in Rochester will be available to stream on ESPN+ with the "Voice of the Golden Grizzlies" Neal Ruhl (PxP) and Darryl Jacobs (Color) on the call. Ruhl and Jacobs will also be on the radio on 97.1HD-3/1270am or the Audacy App online.
SCOUTING THE PENGUINS
Youngstown State suffered a 72-66 setback to Robert Morris last Saturday at home. The Penguins' leading scorer, senior Cris Carroll, scored 13 of his team-high 20 points in the second half to lead the Penguins while Bryson Dawkins poured in 16 points and Tae Blackshear added 12 points with four three-pointers. YSU is 10th in the Horizon League standings, averaging 79.5 points of offense against a league second-best 72.4 points from defense.
In the last match up between both squads on New Years Day, junior Isaac Garrett posted his third double-double of the season, leading the team and achieving a then Oakland career-high of 27 points and 14 rebounds, while also setting a season-best with 9 field goals. Fifth-year Brett White II also shot career-high on the floor, picking up 22 points, including five three-pointers, and collected six boards as Naivalurua marked the third consecutive game in recording at least 14 points, as the Australian tallied 14 along with two rebounds and a block on defense.
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.
