The men’s basketball team was defeated by the Cleveland State Vikings in the first game of the Horizon League by a score of 80-64.  

A baseline shot from junior guard Rocket Watts followed by a Keaton Hervey 3-pointer within the first three minutes of the game put the Grizzlies on the board and on top with a 5-2 lead. Cleveland State would start strong, going on a 9-0 run.

With time ticking down on an Oakland possession, Jalen Moore would get fouled on a 3-pointer play, sending him to the line. 

Despite it taking five and a half minutes to score, there was a good find down the paint to Osei Price, assisted by Trey Townsend, that would help speed up the slow start by the Grizzlies. 

Moore would do it again, getting down the lane, going coast to coast, drawing contact for another whistle blow for a pair of free throws. He finishes strong and can get to the rack so effortlessly.

Will Shepherd is known for his excellent 3-point shooting, and he came in and brought it within six.

Still unable to find their rhythm completely, the Grizzlies headed to the locker room down 12 at half, at a score of 41-29.

Picking up where they left off, the Vikings would come in with the same intensity as before and get a dunk. The floor general, Moore, would score seven straight for the Grizzlies. He makes it hard for whoever is guarding him.

With great timing by Townsend at the 4:38 mark, he would get the monster jam, which is always light work for him. 

As time winded down, though, there was still no answer for Cleveland State’s offense, continuing to rally up their points. They would close out the game at a 80-64 score. 

Moore would lead the team with the most points at 18. Townsend is runner-up with 13. Hervey would add 10 and Shepherd with seven.

“We got nowhere to go but get better,” Coach Greg Kampe said.  

For that, we can count on the Grizzlies getting back on track as they head to New York to face Syracuse on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. There is a long way to go in the season and the Grizzlies definitely have the opportunity to turn things around and flip the script.