The Oakland Golden Grizzlies were defeated by the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons, 73-64, on Thursday, Jan. 26 at home. 

Purdue Fort Wayne’s Amellia Bromenschenkel was hot. She led the Mastodons in points with 24. She was the difference maker.  

The Grizzlies were within two at a 17-15 score going into the second quarter but the Mastodons had extended their lead up to nine by half. They didn’t do too much missing behind the arc. 

Guard Breanne Beatty knocked down a corner 3-pointer and it was exactly what the Golden Grizzlies needed coming back from half, contributing to the 5-0 run. Her senior leadership is always impactful. 

The game started to pick up after a patient offense by the Golden Grizzlies in the beginning. Their energy started to get going and played with more intensity. They were starting to see the light. 

With 4:52 left to play, there was great ball movement by the Golden Grizzlies to hit Alexis Johnson down low to make her move in the low post. 

Kennedie Montue also closed the gap after a good fast break pass from Brooke Quarles-Daniels. Her playmaking skills are always right on time, knowing exactly where her teammates are.

The Golden Grizzlies went on an 8-0 run pulling it within five. An offensive foul by Purdue Fort Wayne gave Oakland the ball back. 

Oakland has been so dominant this season on the defensive end. They did not go out without a fight.

Aaliyah McQueen hit back-to-back big-time shots in big moments, and she is always producing for this Oakland team. The Golden Grizzlies showed signs of offense, trying to protect their home court, but Purdue Fort Wayne’s Shayla Sellers was unstoppable and she knocked down her final 3-pointer of the game with just under two minutes left and the Mastodons took over from there and got the win over the Grizzlies, 73-64.

Quarles-Daniels finished with 18 points — her seventh straight double-figure game. She also had six assists and six rebounds. 

Johnson keeps on racking up double-figure games as well, with 16 points. Beatty finished with nine. 

Even though the Golden Grizzlies fell short, they played hard and it is always great to have that hustle and drive instilled, which will go a long way and carry on into future games.

The Golden Grizzlies’ next game is against Milwaukee at the O’rena on Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. for the Equality and Inclusion game.