Horizon League Basketball: Oakland and Detroit both win Senior Day games

Oakland and Detroit Mercy both hosted Horizon League teams from the state of Wisconsin for their senior day games today. Both the Golden Grizzlies and the Titans have seniors who won on more than likely be playing their final home games at their respected schools.

Oakland (12-17, 7-9) defeated Green Bay (14-15, 9-7) 92-88 in league play. It took double overtime but the Golden Grizzlies came back multiple times and survived multiple attempts by the Phoenix’s to win for their seniors. One Oakland senior made two huge plays and 31 points to give the Golden Grizzlies the win.

Oakland had a great senior celebration for Brad Brechting and Xavier Hill-Mais who are both 5th-year seniors for the Golden Grizzlies. Hill-Mais had played very well of late as he had back-to-back double-doubles as well as having a stellar night in his last game as he had 23 points with 11 rebounds prior to today’s game. Brechting who had 26 points and 14 rebounds when Oakland last played Green Bay, did not have a similar type game in today’s matchup against the Phoenix’s on Senior Day.

However, he made key free throws, blocks, and even brought the ball up in the 2nd half. The Golden Grizzlies who were coming off of wins against Youngstown State and Milwaukee made it four straight wins against Green Bay as they increased their hopes of getting the 6th seed in the Horizon League tournament to secure home court for their first-round game.

It appeared that Green Bay was going to win this game but a key rebound and put back by Hill-Mais and a three-pointer by him in the 2nd overtime game gave Oakland the victory. Hill-Mais finished the game with 31 points and 13 rebounds. Brechting made one of the final free throws for Oakland as the Golden Grizzlies sent out their seniors in style.

Detroit Mercy (7-22, 5-11) defeated Milwaukee (12-16, 7-9) 79-73. Detroit Mercy did well with their senior day festivities for senior Justin Miller. The Titans also have two other seniors in B.J. Maxwell and Brad Calipari but both are graduate transfers and will have more than likely another year of eligibility. However, Miller who played in his last home game at Detroit Mercy had scored double digits in four of his last six games. He did not play in this game.

However, it was very memorable last game the historic Calihan Hall as the upperclassmen lead the Titans to a victory over the Panthers on Senior Day. Detroit Mercy is currently in 9th place and guaranteed them avoiding getting the 10 seed in the Horizon League tournament. Antonine Davis led Detroit Mercy with 27 points in the win, while Marquise Moore pitched in with 18.

In today’s senior day games, both head coaches of Oakland and Detroit Mercy wanted to build momentum heading into the Horizon League tournament. Both did that with close but impressive wins today. The Titans head coach Mike Davis has experience from his time at Indiana and Texas Southern to lead his team to a run in the conference tournament. Golden Grizzlies head coach Greg Kampe in his 33rd year at Oakland has a ton of experience and his team is playing well and have won three straight games going into the conference tournament.

Both Detroit and Oakland after today’s games go on the road to play both IUPUI and UIC to end regular season play prior to the start of the conference tournament. The Golden Grizzlies and the Titans have both lost multiple close games which they could of easily won in conference play. However, the look to bring that same type of competitiveness to next weekend’s games and into their remaining games this season.