Oakland scores nail biting win over Toledo

While Oakland technically took a break from Horizon League play on Saturday, it did not feel like your typical non-conference showdown.

It was the 11th matchup between the two in the last 12 seasons, with Toledo leading the series in that span 6-4 coming into the game. The Golden Grizzlies and Rockets have kindled a rivalry, and on a day when Oakland’s league opponents dipped into conference play, it felt like a game with higher stakes than a nonconference matchup in early December.

Oakland came away with a back and forth 98-97 victory. The game featured two of the top mid major offenses in the country, and they did not disappoint. Even though the two teams combined for 25% from three, the quality of scoring was certainly on display throughout the whole 40 minutes of action.

“I don’t know what these people paid to get into the game, but they should have had to pay triple whatever they did,” Greg Kampe said postgame. “That was an unbelievable basketball game.”

Kampe said after Oakland’s last game against Purdue Fort Wayne that his team learned that a game is never over, and that was on display again. Oakland trailed by double figures in the first half, fought back to take a six-point lead late in the second half, and still found themselves in a game that traded leads multiple times in the final few minutes.

The teams traded baskets late, and Oakland had the ball down one in the final 30 seconds. Ziare Wells got the ball, got downhill with his left hand, and scored. Toledo got an open look an offensive rebound on the final possession but could not score to take the lead. Wells led the game in scoring with 21 points in only 23 minutes of action.

“They weren’t doing a great job getting back, so I was able to take advantage of that,” Wells said.

Oakland’s second leading scorer was Brody Robinson. He poured in 19 and was named Horizon League Player of the Week for the second week in a row. Robinson added nine assists as well.

“Coach Kampe says it all the time that the last team to win a championship here won close games,” Robinson said postgame. “I think it’s the most important thing to learn, how to win close games and we did that today.”

Buru Naivalurua started off slow, but had multiple highlight plays in the second half to score 18 points. He also had five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Oakland’s other big men were effective as well. Michael Houge continued his blazing start to the year with 17 points and five boards, while Isaac Garrett stuffed the box score again. Garrett had 11 points, eight boards, four assists and three blocks in the win.

Oakland moved their record back to the .500 mark for the first time since the season began, now at 5-5. The Golden Grizzlies are 3-0 at home on the young campaign.

The Golden Grizzlies now get a full week off to focus on final exams before hitting the court again in Iowa, where they will take on Northern Iowa on Saturday. The Panthers are 7-2 out of the Missouri Valley and are viewed as one of the premier mid major teams in the country. That game will tip off at 6pm Eastern Time and will be shown on ESPN+.