On Sunday, Feb. 23, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies men’s basketball team delivered a thrilling 91-86 overtime victory against the Cleveland State Vikings at the OU Credit Union O’Rena, making history in the process.
The win marked Oakland head coach Greg Kampe’s 132nd Horizon League win, now the most in conference history. Kampe accomplished the feat in 12 seasons, three seasons quicker than the previous record-holder, Perry Watson, who coached Detroit Mercy from 1993 to 2008.
Not only was this a big game for Kampe, but it was also senior night, meaning DQ Cole, Jayson Woodrich and Malcolm Christie were recognized at the end of the game, as this season marks the end of their respective collegiate basketball careers.
Woodrich and Cole put on a show, as Woodrich drained six three-pointers on his way to 20 points. Cole nearly notched a triple-double, stuffing the stat sheet with 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
Allen Mukeba added to the fireworks, recording his sixth double-double this season with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
The first half was dominated by the Vikings nearly from start to finish. Cleveland State was blistering on offense, finishing the half shooting 56% from the field. At one point, with about seven minutes to go in the first, the Vikings held a 34-21 lead over Oakland.
However, the Golden Grizzlies came crawling back in the half’s ending moments as Woodrich started to heat up beyond the arc. Although the Vikings didn’t let up their lead, an and-one from Mukeba put Oakland down just four points at 46-42 heading into halftime.
It didn’t take long for the Golden Grizzlies to capitalize in the second half, as a tough make inside the paint from Isaiah Jones gave Oakland its first lead since the beginning of the game.
Throughout the rest of the second, both teams remained side by side. Although the Vikings offense had cooled down somewhat, Oakland matched Cleveland State’s intensity the rest of the way.
With the game down to the wire, Mukeba tied the game up at 77 points apiece with a layup. Although the Vikings had a chance to win on the final possession, Je’Shawn Stevenson missed the go-ahead jumper, sending the game to overtime.
In the extra period, both teams remained within striking distance of each other. However, the Golden Grizzlies had something on its side that the Vikings didn’t: time.
With Oakland up three following a free throw made by Cole with 30 seconds left to go, Cleveland State had no choice but to try to foul its way to a win the rest of overtime. However, the Golden Grizzlies didn’t let up, leading to the Oakland win.
Next, the Golden Grizzlies will make the annual trip to Wisconsin to take on the Green Bay Phoenix on Saturday, March 1. This game marks Oakland’s final regular-season matchup this season.