Horizon League Basketball Tournament: Oakland advances past Cleveland State

Oakland had a convincing win as they defeated Cleveland State by a score of 80 to 59 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Horizon League Basketball tournament.  The Golden Grizzlies won their sixth of their last eight games as they continue to build momentum moving forward in the tournament.

This Horizon League Basketball game was centered around the number three, as this was the third time that Oakland defeated Cleveland State, Rashad Williams had three made three-pointers, and the triplets played well leading the Golden Grizzlies as they combined for 50 points to a  21 point victory over the Vikings.

Cleveland State’s star player Algevon Eichelberger and Saginaw, Michigan native scored the first basket of the game for the Vikings but Oakland’s Daniel Oladapo scored the Golden Grizzlies first basket to tie it up in the early minutes of the game. Tray Maddox Jr. who changed his jersey and number before tip-off made an early three to give Oakland an early lead. Oladapo would attack the basket and get another basket helping the Golden Grizzlies maintain their lead as they and Cleveland State traded baskets early.

Oakland had the lead with just under 15 minutes left in the first half as both teams were diving on the floor for loose balls. However, Cleveland State big man and Detroit native had a nice put-back dunk to give Cleveland an early lead as the Vikings had a 12-9 lead with under 14 minutes remaining.

Oakland’s Williams tied up the game with his first made three of the game but then Viking’s Johnson again got another putback dunk. Cleveland State’s lead was short-lived as Williams made another three with two Viking defenders on him from almost half-court with the shooting clock winding down to give Oakland an early one-point lead.

Golden Grizzlies Xavier Hill-Mais who started off the game shooting only one for six from the field got going making a three to give Oakland a four-point lead. Hill-Mais would then make three straight free throws to give his team their biggest lead of the game 21-14. After a made Viking basket, Hill-Mais made another basket to give him ten early points. Maddox Jr. would make his 2nd three-pointer of the game giving the Golden Grizzlies a 26-18 lead with just over seven minutes left in the first half.

Out of a time out, Oladapo made a nice basket and got and one and then Maddox Jr. continued his strong play with a strong drive and basket. He followed it up with a three from the wing to give Oakland a 34-22 lead with a little under six minutes left in the 1st half. The Golden Grizzlies Babatunde Sowunmi made two free throw giving Oakland a 38-24 lead with a little under three minutes remaining in the half. Maddox Jr. made a jumper from the elbow to give Oakland a 14 point lead. He then was fouled on the next possession making a free throw to give the Golden Grizzlies a 41-26 lead at the half.

Oakland held Cleveland State’s leading scorer Eichelberger to only four 1st half points. The Golden Grizzlies defense had an impressive first half holding the Viking to zero made three throws and forcing Cleveland State to commit eight turnovers. Oakland’s offense had a great first half shooting over 43% from the floor, making six three’s, and Maddox Jr. and Hill-Mais combined for 26 points entering the 2nd half.

Oakland would start off the 2nd half strong with Oladapo making two free throws after being fouled nine seconds into the 2nd half. After the Vikings failing to make shots after outrebounding the Golden Grizzlies to begin the second half, Oladapo made a nice basket in the paint that gave Oakland a 45-29 lead with 18 minutes left in the game. The Golden Grizzlies would continue to attack the Vikings defense and Oladapo would score again to have seven early 2nd half points.

Oakland had a 17-point lead with just over 15 minutes remaining in the game and they never looked back and they cruised to a 1st round victory in the Horizon League tournament. Four Oakland players scored in double digits with Hill-Mais leading all scorers with 26 points to go along with his 12 rebounds on the game. Oladapo had 19, Maddox Jr. contributed 17, and Williams end the game with 14 points. Not including those four Golden Grizzlies, the rest of Oakland’s team scored a combined four points. Oakland next travels to play Green Bay on Thursday night in hopes of making the semifinals of the Horizon League tournament in Indianapolis.