Even though Oakland had played six games so far this season, the conference opener always feels like a beginning.
The Golden Grizzlies took the floor of a league game for the first time as defending Horizon League champions, and it felt like a championship was at stake, even in game one.
Oakland and Wright State have been mainstays at the top of the Horizon League for quite a while now, and Thursday night’s game seemed to show that may be the case again. The Golden Grizzlies pulled out a 66-64 win over the Raiders in a highly contested affair on the blacktop.
Although it was game one of the conference season, the intensity of conference play was fully present. This was particularly true on the defensive side of the ball for Oakland.
Despite the Raiders making 16-31 from three-point range, they were held to 64 points, which is their lowest total since the season opener when they scored 62 at Kentucky. The defensive effort was especially good in the clutch as the Golden Grizzlies held the Raiders scoreless for the final 2:40 of the game. Wright State only made six two-point field goals on the night, and Oakland’s defense made everything tough inside.
Preseason Horizon League Player of the Year Brandon Noel felt the effects of that. He came in averaging over 21 points per game and left without a two-point basket, and six points.
Allen Mukeba and Buru Naivalurua continue to assert themselves as one of, if not the premier frontcourt in the conference. They made things tough defensively, rebounded well, and scored in the post very efficiently. Mukeba stuffed the stat sheet, scoring a team-high 16 points, grabbing seven rebounds, dished out a team-high four assists, blocked three shots and had two steals. He was Oakland’s go-to down the streetch, scoring the final six Oakland points while taking the last five Oakland field goals of the game. Naivalurua added seven rebounds of his own, while shooting a crisp 5-7 from the floor for 14 points. It was the first look at the dynamic duo in league play, and they delivered.
Right behind the big men in the scoring column was Jayson Woodrich, who found some rhythm early on two inside out looks for three, making both. Another three fell later, and he ended up with 12 points. The looks he got off the passes from the bigs were wide open, and if he continues to make that shot it will make Oakland a very tough cover in the halfcourt.
While DQ Cole struggled, going 2-10 from the floor, albeit with two threes, Oakland got some production from others who haven’t done very much. Cooper Craggs provided a spark in the first half and ended the night with eight points on a variety of ways, while freshman Nassim Mashhour showed a flash of why he was dubbed the opening night starting point guard with eight points of his own, including two threes and a 5-0 run in the second half. Oakland’s depth was a problem, particularly offensively when the season started, but it continues to develop and could be a major key to future success.
That depth was boosted tonight with the return of Isaiah Jones. He came off the bench and only played five minutes but received a massive ovation as he entered for the first time. He was also a key part of the final defensive stand, after missing two free throws to basically seal the game. His brother, Jaylen, struggled from the floor but came up with nine rebounds as the smallest guy on the floor. He was also involved in the big stop at the end, and was a factor all night defensivley.
Oakland moves to 1-0 in Horizon League play and will face another 1-0 team next. The Golden Grizzlies will travel to Youngstown State for a Saturday afternoon tip, giving little time to rest up after this physical affair. The 2pm tip will be broadcast on ESPN+.
