By Cord Rankin
GAME NOTES VS. WRIGHT STATE
https://goldengrizzlies.com/documents/2024/12/3/1205_vs._WSU.pdf
ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies open up league play this week as it’ll play host to Wright State Thursday (Dec. 5) inside the OU Credit Union O’rena, with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by a visit to Youngstown State Saturday (Dec. 7), with tip-off slated for 2:00 p.m. ET.
The Golden Grizzlies (2-4, 0-0 HL) got back in the win column in a big way as it took down Toledo, 85-52, on the road. Four Golden Grizzlies finished in the double-digits in points, as DQ Cole led the way with 22, while Buru Naivalurua tallied a double-double with 16 points and 13 boards.
Oakland set the tone early, with Naivalurua scoring the first points of the game. The Golden Grizzlies took advantage of second-chance opportunities through Naivalurua and Allen Mukeba. Cole sparked the offense midway through the first half, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to extend Oakland’s lead. Though Toledo briefly tied the game, Oakland responded with a run, fueled by Cole and Mukeba, and ended the half with a 34-23 lead.
In the second half, Oakland continued to dominate. The offense continued and the defense locked down, outscoring the Rockets, 51-29, in the final 20 minutes to take the win. Cole’s 22-point effort and six threes from the game earned him #HLMBB Player of the Week honors, the first recognition the Golden Grizzlies have received this season.
DATE: Dec. 5
OPPONENT: Wright State
LOCATION: OU Credit Union O’rena – Rochester, Mich.
TIME: 7:00 p.m. ET
LIVE STATS
LIVE STREAM: ESPN+
LIVE AUDIO
TICKETS
The Raiders enter Thursday’s matchup 5-4 and, like the Golden Grizzlies, are coming off a win from this past Saturday (Nov. 30). The Raiders also rank second amongst Horizon League teams in NET Ranking, at 110, with the Golden Grizzlies behind at 145. To date, Toledo is the only common opponent the teams have faced as Wright State fell, 86-77, while three of the teams four losses have been by under 10 points.
The Golden Grizzlies are 10-17 against the Raiders as it split its season series last year as each team won on the road. The last time Wright State visited the OU Credit Union O’rena was also the last time the two met each other as Oakland fell, 96-75. Cole led the Golden Grizzlies with 18 points, as Isaiah Jones and Naivalurua contributed to the team. Overall, in the 27-game series, the Golden Grizzlies are 6-7 on its home court and 4-6 in its last 10.
Brandon Noel and Alex Huibregste return as the Raiders top contributors from last season, as the pair are the only two on the team to average double-digit points. Noel leads the team with 21.0 points per game, shooting at a .560 clip from the floor, as Huibregste is behind with 16.6 points of a .552 clip. Noel also leads the team off the glass with 8.0 boards, while Keaton Norris has dished out the most assists with 47.
As a team, the Raiders win by a margin of 6.1 points per game with 77.4, shooting at a .494 clip from the floor. Its opponents hit at a .460 mark with 7.1 threes per game, while the Raiders hit 7.8 threes per game. Wright State also narrowly outrebounds its opponents with its 34.3 per game compared to 33.2.
Tip-off from the OU Credit Union O’rena is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
DATE: Dec. 7
OPPONENT: Youngstown State
LOCATION: Beeghly Center – Youngstown, Ohio
TIME: 2:00 p.m. ET
LIVE STATS
LIVE STREAM: ESPN+
LIVE AUDIO
The Penguins enter the week 3-5 as it’s set to open Horizon League play today (Dec. 4) on the road against Robert Morris. Saturday’s matchup will be the Penguins third home game of the season as it currently sits 1-1 at Beeghly Center, with its loss coming from Western Michigan and its win from Bethany.
The Golden Grizzlies fare well against the Penguins as it’s 23-12 overall and ride a two-game win streak heading into Saturday. Although the Golden Grizzlies nearly have half of the wins, it looks to make its road record even as it’s currently 7-8 in Youngstown. On the road last season, Cole, Jones and Naivalurua all saw action, as Cole led the trio with eight points and four boards.
The team has a trio of players in the double-digits for points, as Nico Galette averages 13.8 per game, followed by EJ Farmer and Ty Harper who average 13.4 and 10.4 points respectively. All three are the only players on the team who have started all eight games, as Galette leads the team off the glass with 6.5 boards per game.
As a team, the Penguins outscore its opponents, 72.9-71.4, but have a slightly worse percentage from the field as it hits at a .404 mark compared to its opponents .421 clip. From range, Youngstown State makes 7.0 threes per game and holds its opponents to 6.5 per game. Off the glass, the team gets outrebounded as it brings down 36.6 boards per game and allows 39.0 per game.
Tip-off from Beeghly Center is slated for 2:00 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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