Watterworth’s double-double lifts Oakland past Cornell

TAKING IT TO THE HOLE: Oakland sophomore forward Bethany Watterworth collected a double-double in the Grizzlies win over Cornell. Courtesy Photo.

ROCHESTER HILLS – Sophomore forward Bethany Watterworth had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while junior center Brittany Carnago scored 10 points and blocked five shots to lead the Oakland women’s basketball team (3-3) to a win over Cornell (1-5) at the Athletics Center O’Rena on Sunday. The Golden Grizzlies limited the Big Red to just 31.7 percent shooting and held an opponent under 50 points for a second, consecutive game.

“It’s really nice to have Brittany (Carnago) back in the paint,” said Oakland head coach Beckie Francis. “Her five blocks really set the tone defensively.”

Watterworth hit a career-high two 3-pointers and earned her second consecutive double-double of the season. She also dished out a game-high five assists for the Golden Grizzlies, which had 18 assists on 19 made baskets. For Carnago, the 10 points are a season-high and her five blocks give her a total of 128 for her career, moving her into a tie for 13th all-time in The Summit League.

Watterworth scored 11 points in the first half and Carnago posted four blocks, to help Oakland take a 31-17 lead into halftime. The Golden Grizzlies held the visitors to just 23.3 percent shooting from the field, marking the second straight game that OU has held the opponent under 25 percent in the first half. The Golden Grizzlies lead The Summit League in defensive field goal percentage at 35.8 percent.

Cornell started the second half with a 10-2 run and eventually pulled to within four points (35-31) with 13:45 to play on a basket by Clare Fitzpatrick. Carnago had the response for OU, making a basket that sparked a 9-2 run. Freshman guard Elizabeth Hamlet, who finished with seven points, also hit a key 3-pointer to keep Oakland in front by at least eight points for the rest of the game.

“I think we had a great second half against a very good team,” said Cornell coach Dayna Smith. “We did some nice things defensively, but weren’t able to contain Bethany Watterworth, which was a big part of our game plan.”

Fitzpatrick finished with 10 points and led the Big Red in scoring for the third time this season. Alyssa DiMagno hit a trio of 3-pointers for nine points, as Cornell finished 7-for-18 beyond the arc.

Defensively, Oakland also managed to hold Cornell without a free-throw attempt. It was the first time that the Golden Grizzlies accomplished the feat in the NCAA Division I era. OU has surrendered just three free-throw attempts over the last two games.

“We worked hard in practice at not committing fouls that would send the other team to the line,” said Francis. “I’m so proud of the defensive patience that we showed today.”

Freshman guard Zakiya Minifee came off the bench to score seven points and pull in eight rebounds to improve her rebounding average to more than six per game this season. Oakland won the battle of the boards 39-33, but struggled in the second half as the Big Red pulled in eight offensive boards and out rebounded OU 20-12 in the half.

The Golden Grizzlies will open Summit League play on Thursday against Southern Utah at the O’Rena at 4:30 p.m. The game is a doubleheader with the men’s team, which will also faces the Thunderbirds to open league play.

Tags: college basketball, Oakland University Women's Baksetball

Category: Oakland University