Oakland trips up Western Illinois

TIMOTHY PONTZER

STUDENT CORRESPONDENT

ROCHESTER HILLS — During the course of this season, the difference between playing at home and being on the road has been night and day for the Oakland University women’s basketball team.

Away from the O’Rena this year, the Golden Grizzlies have sported a dastardly 1-6 record. Meanwhile, coming into Monday, Oakland has earned a 6-2 record on their own floor, with their two losses only coming by a combined seven points.

The Grizzlies successfully improved that record to 7-2 at home, downing the Western Illinois Leathernecks (5-10, 2-3) on Monday night, 75-71. The victory also stretched Oakland’s winning streak to four straight.

Head coach Beckie Francis marked the advantage of being in the O’Rena as being simple, but powerful. “It felt so good to come home,” Francis said, “I sound like Dorothy or something, but it really helped to get the sweep this weekend.”

While the Grizzlies (7-8, 3-3 Summit League) were ultimately able to garner the victory, Western Illinois set the tone early. The Leathernecks scored on their first three possessions, pushing themselves to a 6-0 run. Coach Francis quickly called a timeout to stop the run, having a stern message to relay to her squad.

“I said really, is that how we’re going to open up?” Francis said, “We have to play with more intensity, this is a conference game.”

Oakland quickly responded, going on a run of their own. The Grizzlies went on a 12-0 stretch, fueled by junior playmaker Bethany Watterworth. The 6-foot Watterworth notched eight points during the run, including two three-pointers.

After answering the bell with that run, Oakland never trailed again. Oakland led by as many as twelve points, and kept their lead in the double digits for most of the night. Not until the final five minutes were the Leathernecks able to make the margin single digits, but the Grizzlies were able to hold on for the win.

Senior Sharise Calhoun led all scorers with her season high 26 points, just two short of her career high of 28 points. Calhoun also added seven rebounds to her scorecard for the night, but was quick to push away the spotlight.

“It is my senior year and we have that urgency to win, but I have to thank my teammates,” Calhoun said. “They’re the ones who help me get open and set me up with great passes, that has nothing to do with me at all.”

Calhoun’s fellow senior, Brittany Carnago, had the best all-around performance on the night, coming just short of a double-double. Carnago had 14 points, nine rebounds, six blocks and four assists. Carnago needs only 16 more blocks to become the all-time leader in that category in Oakland history.

Watterworth finished the night with 17 points. The 75-point total marked the Golden Grizzlies’ highest offensive output of the season. Calhoun marked it as one of the team’s most complete performances of the season.

“I thought that we were playing Oakland basketball,” Calhoun added, “Really pushing, controlling the boards, really attacking them. That really helped us grabbing all those rebounds.”

Oakland won the rebound battle 45-39, as well as forcing 17 turnovers while only committing 13 of their own. It was impressive for Oakland to fair well in the rebound department, despite playing with leading rebounder Zakiya Minifee who suffered a serious leg injury on Saturday against IUPUI. The severity of Minifee’s injury is still not known, as well as whether or not she will be able to return this season.

On the Leathernecks’ side, senior Sadie Webb had 17 points and fellow senior Valencia Kelly added 16 points and nine rebounds.

The Grizzlies will try to win three straight overall for the first time this season when they head to IPFW this Saturday. The game is the annual road trip game for the Grizzlies, with many students and alumni planning on making the trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Oakland returns home on Jan. 28 with a matchup against North Dakota State.

(Timothy Pontzer is part of the AdaVan Media Group / www.northoaklandsports.com Student Correspondence Program. He is a graduate of Auburn Hills Oakland Christian High School and current student at Oakland University. He can be reached at tpontzer7@gmail.com or follow on Twitter @timothy_pontzer)

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