Oakland Basketball: 3 takeways from dominating win against Toledo

Oakland Basketball has an impressive non-conference victory over Toledo tonight. Here are some takeaways from the game.

Entering the game, Oakland Basketball outrebounded both Big 12 opponents they faced by a combined total of 83 to 64. The Golden Grizzlies have put a priority on rebounding this season and it helped them almost upset West Virginia where they only lost by seven points before upsetting Oklahoma State.

Both of Oakland’s first two games were on the road and the Golden Grizzlies defense held both the Mountaineers and Cowboys to 60 or under in points against the Big 12 teams. Head coach Greg Kampe was looking for a great defense performance at home against Toledo as his team did against their first two opponents.

Prior to the game against Toledo, Marquette transfer Jamal Cain entered the game as the Golden Grizzlies leading scorer and rebounder averaging 14.5 points and 9.5 rebounds through two games. Sophomore Trey Townsend entered the game against the Rockets as Oakland’s second-leading scorer averaging 12 points per game to go with his six rebounds, two steals, and one block per game.

The Golden Grizzlies star player Jalen Moore has been the focal point of opposing defenses but prior to the game against the Rockets, he still through two games averaged ten points, five assists, and four and a half rebounds per game. Sophomore Micah Parrish entered the game against Toledo as Oakland’s fourth-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder. All four looked to have good games against the Rockets.

Let’s take a look at the three takeaways from the game.

Oakland’s defense in the first half made up for their three-point shooting and Cain played a good first half of basketball

The Golden Grizzlies were only two for seventeen from beyond the arc in the first half. Shooting 11.8% from three-point range and only being down one at the half put Oakland in good position to win the second half. The Golden Grizzlies defense held Toledo to only 32 first-half points and 14 of those points came from the Rocket’s Ryan Rollins who played his high school ball not far from where Oakland is located.

Also, Toledo was perfect from the free throw line in the first half going nine for nine from the line but other than that Oakland held the high power offense of the Rockets in check. Cain for Oakland had eight rebounds, while Townsend and Parrish played excellent defense hold Toledo’s offense in check in the first half. Cain had a good first half of play.

Besides Cain’s eight first-half rebounds, he shot six for twelve from the field, had a steal, and had 12 points entering the half. Cain also took a lob pass from Moore for an impressive alley-oop dunk right before have time. He also limited Toledo’s Setric Millner Jr. to only six first-half points on two for eight shooting in the first half. Cain was very active in Oakland’s 1-3-1 zone that limited Toledo’s offense in the first half.

Moore, Lampman, and Cain take over in the 2nd half

In the second half, Moore, Cain, and Blake Lampman had an electric start to get the Golden Grizzlies going after halftime. Cain had eight second-half points and four defensive rebounds with just under 12 minutes left in the game, Lampman who had seven first-half points, had two blocks and two timely three-pointers with 11:47 remaining in the game.

Moore in that same time frame, had four points and three assists helping Oakland grow their lead in the second half. With 8:29 left in the game, Oakland had a 62-48 point lead as the Golden Grizzlies.

Moore ended up with 17 points, 11 assists, and only four turnovers. Lampman had 18 points, two rebounds, and two blocks but Cain was the story of the night. Cain finished the game with 29 points, 17 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.

Oakland’s offense comes alive in the 2nd half

The Golden Grizzlies doubled their offensive output from the 1st half with just under eight minutes remaining in the second half. With 5:40 left in the game, Oakland lead 70-50 due to the Golden Grizzlies’ relentless defense but more importantly, their efficient offense in the second half.

After halftime, Oakland in the second half shot 18 for 32 from the floor for 56.3% shooting, they shot 35.7% from beyond the arch, and they were eight from eleven from the free throw line. Their second-half shooting numbers were significantly better than their first-half shooting percentages and numbers.

The Golden Grizzlies defense played well in the second half but their offense came alive and played really well in the second half which allowed the Horizon League program to end the game with an 80 to 59 victory.