It didn’t take long for the Oakland Golden Grizzlies’ rivalry with Detroit Mercy to rear its head once again. The two schools hadn’t played each other in men’s basketball since 2003, and including Jan. 11’s game, UDM still leads the all-time series, 10-2.

“There’s a lot of rivalry between these two schools,” said UDM freshman Mikaël Paulik. “I’ve noticed they really don’t like each other when it comes to sports. Given the proximity of the two schools, it’s going to be friendly, but definitely a great rivalry.”

Ironically, a Titan student holding a “Kampe listens to Nickelback” sign was later thrown out of the game for inappropriate gestures towards OU fans. But otherwise, tensions were kept within reason.

“It seems unnecessary, but it does add fuel to a rivalry,” said Julian Evans-Means, a 19-year old business economics major at OU, on fans occasionally crossing the line. “And it could be becoming one right now because of it.”

With the Titans appearing to have a firm grasp on their 11^th win over OU, the Grizzlies were able to find their shooting touch late in the second half. By clawing back to an improbable 77-69 victory, head coach Greg Kampe and his team were vindicated from an otherwise underwhelming performance, instead leaving Titan fans in demoralized shock.

Charged Atmosphere

Those last few minutes of the game reaffirmed what most had predicted, a biannual, in-state conference grudge match because of location and history.

“It makes it much more fun since they’re both on the same level, and it’s exciting to go to because of how the close it all turned out,” said 20-year-old Titan Mary Colombo. “There’s a lot more students here than usual.”

Calihan Hall’s attendance, marked at 6,976, was Detroit Mercy’s highest total since reaching 7,127 Feb. 23, 2002 when UDM played Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

From the outset, the OU supporters were heard with the introduction of the Titans’ roster, each chant of “Who cares,” shouted collectively from the rafters.

“I knew our fan base would travel,” Kampe said. “I knew they wanted this, and that’s why I fought so hard to get in it (Horizon League).”

Titan coach Ray McCallum agreed.

“The best crowd of the year, which gives great attention to the Detroit area,” he said. “The atmosphere, (that’s) the way it should be.”

More to Come

“It’s going to be like that every single game, OU center Corey Petros said of the physical play between both teams. “Right down the street, 30 minutes away, it’s going to chippy like that every 40 minutes we play against them.”

Grizzly senior guard Travis Bader shared that sentiment.

“I don’t think this game is ever going to be a blowout,” he said. “When we play Detroit, it’s going to be head-to-head: a dogfight ’til the end.”

The two teams will rematch next month Feb. 14 at the Athletics Center O’rena at 7 p.m. And while the outcome cannot be predetermined, one thing is assured: no love will be lost this Valentine’s Day.