The Oakland University women’s basketball team returned to the OU Credit Union O’Rena on Saturday, Feb. 14, but fell 62-44 to the Wright State Raiders in Horizon League play.
Oakland battled defensively and controlled the glass at times, but offensive struggles proved costly. The Golden Grizzlies shot just under 30% from the field and committed 20 turnovers, allowing Wright State to create separation as the game went on.
Mackenzie Luehring led Oakland offensively with 14 points, continuing her role as the team’s primary scoring option. Fillippa Goula followed with 13 points, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc and providing perimeter energy throughout the contest.
While the final score did not go in Oakland’s favor, freshman Karinna Trotter delivered a breakout performance. Trotter pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds to anchor Oakland’s interior presence and generate second-chance opportunities.
Oakland opened the game with defensive intensity thanks to an early block from redshirt senior Lianna Baxter. Goula and Luehring helped spark the offense; however, turnovers stalled momentum, and the Golden Grizzlies trailed after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Grizzlies found a brief rhythm behind Luehring’s shots and late scoring from Layla Gold, but Wright State capitalized in transition to extend the lead heading into halftime.
Gold opened the third quarter with a three-point shot, Baxter converted through contact for a three-point play, and Luehring continued attacking at the rim. Still, a pair of Raider threes and Oakland turnovers widened the gap entering the fourth quarter.
Oakland’s defense tightened late, limiting Wright State’s scoring in the final quarter, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.
Saturday’s loss drops Oakland to 8-18 overall and 5-11 in the Horizon League as the regular season enters the final stretch.
Despite the record, the Golden Grizzlies have remained competitive statistically in several key areas.
Oakland is averaging 63.6 points per game while shooting 39.9% from the field and 31.0% from the three-point line. From the free-throw line, the team holds a strong 72.0% success rate.
Rebounding has been one of Oakland’s strengths. The Golden Grizzlies average 35.7 rebounds per game, outrebounding opponents by a 1.2 margin.
However, ball security has presented challenges. Oakland averages 17.0 turnovers per game, contributing to a 7.7 scoring margin on the season.
When it comes to team leaders, Luehring leads the team in scoring with 14.0 points per game, adding over four rebounds and three assists per contest. Her offensive production and ability to create shots have been central to Oakland’s attack.
Angie Smith follows with 10.3 points per game while shooting over 46% from the field, providing efficiency in the frontcourt.
Gold contributes 9.8 points and a team-high 5.5 rebounds per game, showing versatility on both ends.
Goula stands at 8.8 points per game and Baxter at 8.7 points per game, showing a balanced scoring core. Each of them is playing major minutes and contributing across multiple statistical categories.
When looking ahead to the Horizon League tournament, Oakland will plan on building its rebounding strength and defensive flashes while improving shooting efficiency and turnover control.
If young contributors like Trotter and Luehring continue to develop alongside veteran leadership from Baxter and Goula, the Golden Grizzlies could find late momentum at the right time.
While Saturday’s game might not have been what the Grizzlies wanted, individual growth and statistical progress continue to shape the foundation of the program’s future.