Oakland Basketball: 5 takeaways from Golden Grizzlies win over UIC

Oakland Basketball was tested earlier in both the first and second half’s but pulled away late to remain with only one loss in conference play along with Cleveland State.

Parrish and Townsend helped Oakland early

Both are technically freshman due to the COVID-19 year wavier from last season and both Micah Parrish and Trey Townsend had six points apiece early and allowed Oakland to deny UIC early leads in the first half. Parrish had three rebounds and one assist early in the first half and Townsend had two steals and assist as well.

Later in the first half with under six minutes remaining to halftime, Townsend made a nice layup and on the next possession, Parrish got a steal and then put down a two-handed dunk to extend Oakland’s lead. Townsend in the first half made all four of his shot attempts and Parrish had eight points and five rebounds entering halftime.

Oakland’s 1-3-1 Zone Defense slowed down the UIC team in the first half

The Golden Grizzlies held UIC’s offense to only 29 first-half points as the Flames only shot 32.4% from the field. UIC was held to only three made three-point baskets on sixteen attempts in the first half and Oakland outrebounded the Flames by a 23 to 17 margin. The Golden Grizzlies also had five steals in the first half and their 1-3-1 defense did a solid job containing the Flames offense in the first half.

UIC made a run to start the second half

The Flames offense came to life and took a 41-40 lead over Oakland with just over sixteen minutes remaining in the ball game.  UIC’s offense lead by Damaria Franklin and Kevin Johnson challenged Oakland’s defense to start the second half. At this point of the game, Franklin had 15 points on seven for twelve shooting and Johnson was three for four from beyond the arc and had 11 points.

Franklin made a three-pointer to give UIC a two-point lead with just under 16 minutes in the game. UIC had a 48 to 47 lead with just under 13 minutes remaining in the second half and then the Flames made a three to go up 51-50. Johnson made a three from the wing to put UIC up by one with under 10 minutes remaining and then the Flames made a layup to go up 56-55.

Oakland takes advantage of UIC’s foul trouble in the second half

The Golden Grizzlies were in the bonus shooting one on one free throws with nine minutes remaining in the game. Oakland was turning the ball over more then usual and not making a high percentage of their shots for most of the second half but they were able to get to the free throw line and force the Flames to go more often to their bench due to foul trouble.

Townsend for example made two important free throws with only 2:35 remaining in the game to give the Golden Grizzlies a six-point lead. Jalen Moore made two free throws with under one minute remaining in the game and gave Oakland a six-point lead. After a Flames three-point basket to cut the Golden Grizzlies lead to only three with 25 seconds left in the second, Cain made two free throws to give Oakland a 79-74 lead.

With 12.6 seconds remaining in the game, Moore went to the line and made both free throws to give the Golden Grizzlies a 81-74 lead.

Oakland stepped up their defense with five minutes remaining in the game

The Golden Grizzlies defense was more focused and aggressive near the end of the game and helped them to a victory on their home court in Horizon League play. Moore for example got a key steal with under three minutes remaining when UIC cut Oakland’s lead to only four. The Golden Grizzlies made an impressive defensive stand with 1:51 remaining to preserve their six-point lead.

Jamal Cain grabbed a rebound off of a long three-point attempt by UIC with 44 seconds remaining. Cain ended the game as Golden Grizzlies leading scorer with 26 points. Oakland with their defense late earned a hard-fought 81-74 victory.