While members of the Oakland program have said that Cleveland is one of the more enjoyable places on the Horizon League calendar, the results yielded on the trip may start to change that sentiment.
For the fourth year in a row the Golden Grizzlies saw Cleveland State run away with the game in its home building. The 91-78 final added to the run of games that were not competitive in the final moments at the home of the Vikings.
“The real disappointing part of this is we had a chance to get back into first place tonight and we just couldn’t do it,” Greg Kampe said postgame.
That statement is pointing out that current league leader Wright State fell at Robert Morris, meaning Oakland stayed a half game back of the Raiders with six games left. Purdue Fort Wayne — the team in third — also lost.
While disappointed, Kampe made sure to lend some reasoning on how this game ended like it did.
“You have to give them credit. They are on a heater right now, they have won five in a row. In the first half we guarded really well, but when a team that’s going really gets going it is hard to stop,” Kampe said. “We played well enough to win for 30 minutes, the last ten minutes, not so much.”
Oakland held a 42-32 lead and even extended that lead to 11 a few minutes into the second half. The Vikings’ 12 second half threes were tough to overcome. However, that was aided by the fact that Oakland went over five minutes without scoring during a stretch in the last 10 minutes of the game.
Oakland was outscored 59-36 in the second half.
Buru Naivalurua led the Golden Grizzlies with 22 points on 10-of-13 from the floor. Oakland’s other big, Michael Houge, was a little less efficient, but put up 15 points and nine rebounds. While the bigs performed well for the most part, Cleveland State was more equipped to guard an Oakland roster without Isaac Garrett than they were when Oakland had him in the first matchup. Garrett is expected to return soon, potentially even in Oakland’s next game against Youngstown State.
Brody Robinson had a stat line of 22 points, eight assists and five rebounds. He was fantastic in setting the table and pushing the pace all night, but only shot 5-of-13 from the floor.
Warren Marshall IV continued his ascent into the Golden Grizzly rotation. His six points, eight rebounds and five blocks were felt all night. Expect more Marshall IV even when Garrett returns.
The upcoming schedule should come as a sigh of relief for Oakland. The team now receives over a week off to reset and get healthy. Going 2-1, and closing out Detroit Mercy for 3-1, without Isaac Garrett is a win. Oakland will now enter its final six games rested, healthy, and at worst, a game out of first place.
When Oakland does return to the court it will be against Youngstown State. The Penguins just beat Purdue Fort Wayne 90-61 and will host Robert Morris before facing Oakland. While the Penguins are 5-8 in Horizon League action, the roster is an extremely capable one.
That game will take place at Oakland on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. It will be shown on ESPN+.
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