ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland men's basketball head coach Greg Kampe eclipsed the 700-win mark in the 2024-25 season home opener as it took down the Defiance Yellow Jackets, the college of his hometown, 75-52, tonight inside the OU Credit Union O'Rena.
DQ Cole led the Golden Grizzlies (1-0, 0-0 HL) in scoring with 15 points (5-for-11) on his way to dishing out three assists. Buru Naivalurua was a massive presence for the Golden Grizzlies, recording his first double-double of the season with 13 points (5-for-10) and 13 rebounds. Cooper Craggs was another Golden Grizzly who gave Defiance issues all night long as Craggs finished the game with 14 points (6-for-11) and five rebounds.
Connor Bush led the way for the Yellow Jackets with 12 points, two rebounds and two blocks.
Oakland's first basket of the night came from Cole's hands. After receiving a pass at the top of the box, Cole drove to the paint and hit a stepback jumper to give the Golden Grizzlies their first points of the night.
Defiance took the lead minutes later, making for a competitive opening to the season for the Golden Grizzlies. Yellow Jacket Jalen Brown was fouled on a made layup and converted his sole attempt from the line, making it a 3-2 ball game with 16:23 to play in the half.
Halfway through the first, Oakland started to gain some momentum over Defiance. With the Golden Grizzlies already in the bonus, the team began to attack the paint, leading to looks at the charity stripe for Naivalurua and Malcolm Christie.
With the first nearing its end, Cole started to heat up. After a layup, Cole made a deep three and converted on two attempts from the free throw line in consecutive possessions to extend the Oakland lead to its largest in the first half by 15.
At the break, the Golden Grizzlies led 33-23, and proved to be the team to beat. Oakland led the Yellow Jackets in rebounds, bringing in 31 to their 18. Additionally, Oakland had the edge in shooting percentage, converting at a .364 clip compared to Defiance's .265. Oakland also had the advantage in the paint, outscoring Defiance 16-8 in that category.
The Golden Grizzlies came out with even more grit on offense and defense to start the second half. Naivalurua made the Golden Grizzlies first shot of the second, and Jaylen Jones made a heads-up steal on the next possession before converting right in front of the rim.
Craggs started to make his presence known as the second continued, and Christie started to catch fire. In a nearly two-minute span, Craggs converted two tough layups. After that, Christie buried three-straight threes as the Oakland lead grew in front of a loud home crowd.
With a lead consistently over 20 points as the game came to a close, it was all Oakland all game long. The Golden Grizzlies left the Yellow Jackets in the dust on their way to their first win of the season by a final score of 75-52.
At the end of the game, the Golden Grizzlies led the Yellow Jackets on the boards, recording 51 to their 28. Additionally, Oakland was more efficient from the field (.433-to-.339), and the Golden Grizzlies doubled the Yellow Jackets points in the paint with 36.
Next, the Golden Grizzlies will travel west to take on the Boise State Broncos Wednesday (Nov. 6) at ExtraMile Arena. The teams will tip off at 9 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on the Mountain West website.
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