Oakland University men’s basketball tipped off their season in an exhibition against Ferris State and won 94-87 at the O’rena Nov. 1. 

The exhibition game is the first of two, often held as a cursor to measure players in game action.

“I’m very pleased with the game, and I’m very pleased with the way Ferris played,” Oakland head coach Greg Kampe said.

The Grizzlies started slow in the game, trailing by as many as 15 points in the first half alone. They ended the half down by four.

“The first 10 minutes didn’t go well, but then we came together, and turned everything around and we started playing a lot better,” OU senior center Corey Petros said.

Petros is supposed to be the focal point of the team this year. He is the only senior starter besides Dante Williams.

Kahlil Felder led Oakland with 11 points at half, but just on 4-for-13 shooting, not the type of high percentage shots Kampe expects from his team.

“I was aggravated that we were giving up so many layups, and I just wanted to be more aggressive,” Felder said. “He told me to play my game. Players make plays, I’m the coach on the floor and I have to do what’s needed. Whether that’s getting a rebound, getting a steal or going in and getting a basket or getting our other players into the game.”

He finished the game with a game-high 26 points, seven assists and eight rebounds.

Petros stated that they weren’t doing the little things right and that’s what contributed to Ferris State’s early lead. Petros ended the game with a double-double with 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting and 10 rebounds.

In the second half OU went on a 25-13 run to start getting ahead by 12, but Ferris State would mount a comeback to bring it within four.

Max Hooper, who transferred from St. John’s, played a game-high 38 minutes. 

Hooper had 13 points in the game, but shot just 3-for-11 from behind the arc.

“That’s our system,” Kampe said. “I wanted to see what he can do.”

Although Kampe was pleased with the end results of the contest, he was surprised by some of the things his team was doing.

“I didn’t expect a couple of our veteran players to play the first five minutes as if they were freshman. That’s the worst I’ll take out of this,” Kampe said. “This team will go as far as we defend and rebound.”

Kampe knew he would need other players to step up and rebound besides Petros. 

The team will have one more exhibition against Saint Xavier Nov. 6.