The Oakland men’s basketball team dropped the first game of the CBE Hall of Fame Classic in double overtime on Monday night against Western Carolina 88-79. 

The Golden Grizzlies trailed the Catamounts for majority of the game, finishing the first half down by twelve but managed to tie it up for overtime. The comeback fell short, however, as the team could not match Western Carolina’s depth through the second overtime period.

Khalil Felder paced the Grizzlies with 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Corey Petros added 14 points and seven rebounds in the effort, but was just two-of-eight on free throws.

Oakland was only 23-for-38 behind the free throw line during the game. Oakland head coach Greg Kampe thought that was what really hurt the team tonight. 

“As much as we battled, as well as we played in the second half, that’s what really got us,” Kampe said.

He did see some positives in the game, however.

“I was really pleased with the defensive adjustments that we made,” Kampe said. “We were able to follow through on the adjustments, understand them, and execute them. So there was a lot of good.” 

After the game, Kampe’s attitude looked up. 

“I think we made strides forward tonight. We don’t like losing, but this is a process,” Kampe said. “We’re going to stick to what we’re doing and we’re going to get better. 

“Sometimes you’ve gotta get punched in the stomach to remember what it feels like and that’s what happened tonight.”

The team won’t have too much time to dwell on the loss as they’re back at it with another game Tuesday evening. The Golden Grizzlies take on Chicago State at 7 p.m. to continue the CBE Hall of Fame Classic.