The Oakland Post

Column

What does a 26-5 regular season record really mean when you lose the two games that meant the most during the post season?

In the pros they call it choking.

It is understood that student athletes deserve lighter treatment, and that the Oakland University women’s basketball program is still in the process of making a name for itself, but after three consecutive 20-plus win campaigns, including the program’s overall best record this season, it was time for a conference championship.

Despite heading into the Summit League Championship on a 10-game winning streak, and leading No. 1 seeded South Dakota State by 10 at halftime, losing could be justified. And considering that the arena in Sioux Falls was filled to the rafters with die-hard fans, you could even accept the loss.

Still, the women had an opportunity to rebound, receiving a berth in the Women’s National Invitation last Thursday against Dayton at the O’Rena. And instead of proving that they were worthy of a spot in the consolation tournament, they dropped their first-round game by 15 points.

The criticism toward the team isn’t simply for coming up short for the league title. It’s the way the lady Grizzlies finished their historic season, with consecutive second-half letdowns.

It’s heart wrenching to think that the Jack Rabbits erased OU’s 10-point halftime lead in less than seven minutes and proceeded to win the game by 10. To watch them enter the second half against Dayton, and play the most uninspired half of their season was an equally disappointing and lousy way to end the season.

In the second halves of their last two games, OU was outscored by 20 and 16 points, respectively.

With the way everything transpired in the end, it makes you question whether true progress was made this season.