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Oakland Basketball: Grizzlies outlast Detroit Mercy in Horizon League play

By Ryan Kay

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Head coach Mike Davis of the Texas Southern Tigers reacts against the Xavier Musketeers during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Head coach Mike Davis of the Texas Southern Tigers reacts against the Xavier Musketeers during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Basketball had won the previous six games between the two Horizon League schools, but could they defeat Detroit Mercy on their home court?

In the 26th meeting between the two schools that are only separated by only 26 miles, Oakland Basketball and Detroit Mercy are looking to can traction in the Horizon League. In 2014, both schools began the #MetroSeries campaign to help boost the notoriety of the rivalry game.

Prior to this game, the Golden Grizzlies had dominated the series since 2014 having won the first five Metro Rivalry Cups and winning 11 out of the last 12 games between the two programs. Oakland won the first meeting between the two teams this season defeating the Titans 78-69.

However, since they last played each other, the Golden Grizzlies have lost 7 out of their last 8 games. Detroit Mercy on the other hand even though they have lost 4 out of their last 8 games, they are 11 points away from possibly being an 8-1 team in the Horizon this season. The Titans have beat Northern Kentucky and Milwaukee in league play as well as defeating IUPUI and UIC this past week. Oakland started the game scoring the first eight points and lead 20-6 with just under 11 minutes in the half but then Detroit Mercy starting to narrow the Golden Grizzlies lead.

Detroit Mercy’s Justin Miller scored and drew the foul to cut Oakland’s lead to 10 and both teams began to trade baskets. The Titans Chris Brandon had a two had a put-back dunk and then Alonde Legrand took a pass from the baseline and threw down a thunderous two-handed dunk. Oakland, however, was able to get to the free throw line and make 6 free throws midway through the first half maintaining a double-digit lead for the majority of the first half. Antoine Davis for the Titans contributed five straight points to cut the Golden Grizzle lead to 7 with just under a minute left in the first half. Oakland would go into the half leading 34-25.

Oakland’s largest lead with 15 in the first half. The Golden Grizzlies had a distinct rebounding advantage in the first half outrebounding the Titans by a 23 to 15 margin. However, Detroit Mercy despite shooting only 13.3 % from beyond the three-point arch and committing 10 fouls and turning the ball over 8 times in the first half, still was only down single digits at half time.

Detroit Mercy’s Davis and Oakland’s Rashad Williams both had 12 points each heading into the 2nd half. Oakland scored the first six points of the 2nd half leading 37-25 with just under 18 minutes left in the 2nd half. Davis hit his third three of the game to cut the Golden Grizzlies lead to 9. Then Willy Isiani made a long-range three to cut the lead to 6 points with just over 14 minutes remaining in the game.

Oakland got into foul trouble with both Xavier Hill-Mais and Brad Brechting picking up 4 fouls each early in the 2nd half and Tray Maddox Jr. did not return to play in the 2nd half. However, Williams had 20 points with just over 12 minutes remaining in the 2nd half giving the Golden Grizzlies a 12 point lead.

When Detroit Mercy cut Oakland’s lead to nine points, Williams hit another three-pointer giving the Golden Grizzlies a double-digit lead again. The Titans  Miller made another impressive play in the post scoring to cut Oakland’s lead to eight. Davis then hit back to back three’s to cut the Golden Grizzlies lead to only five with just over eight minutes remaining in the game.

Davis made two free throws with just under seven minutes left to go in the game to cut Oakland’s lead to only 4 points. The Golden Grizzlies Williams responded with seventh three of the game to extend Oakland’s lead to eight. He then made two free throws to give him 30 points for the game with five minutes left in regulation.

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With just over two minutes remaining in the game, Williams made a technical foul free throw to give Oakland their biggest lead of the game leading Detroit Mercy by 18 points. Williams ended the game leading scorer with 37 points. The Golden Grizzlies end up closing the game with a 77-64 win over the Titans. Oakland next travels to plays at North Kentucky on Feb. 6 and Detroit Mercy next plays Wright State on the 6th as well.