In the first nationally televised home game ever in the O’rena, the favored Tennessee Volunteers came to the O’rena on Monday night to face Oakland University in prime-time on ESPN.

Both the Golden Grizzlies and the 3,755 fans didn’t disappoint, winning 89-81.

Upsetting the Volunteers for a second straight year, Oakland managed to keep its lead the entire game.

Leading the game was guard Reggie Hamilton with 35 points, his second consecutive career-high game. He also was a perfect 15 of 15 from the free-throw line.

“I believe my teammates put me in a position to make those plays,” Hamilton said. “I was just going with the flow.”

Drew Valentine scored 15 points and eight rebounds that included a crucial offensive rebound with just over two minutes to go, a play that extended the Grizzly drive and forced Tennessee to foul.

“Coach (Kampe) is always preaching ‘Crash the glass,’” Valentine, a junior forward, said. “While I’m playing, that’s what I’m thinking about every time.”

Even though five players on the Tennessee roster are 6-foot-8 and above, Oakland didn’t allow themselves to get out-muscled in the paint.

The Grizzlies out-rebounded the Vols 41-37, 17 of which were on the offensive end and 24 on defense. It was the fifth straight game that OU out-rebounded their opponent.

Center Corey Petros had four fouls but finished with seven points and 13 rebounds.

“Petros has been unbelievable,” Kampe said. “He could have finished with 20 rebounds against Tennessee.”

Forward Jordan McRae led the Vols with 25 points and going eight for eight from the free throw line. Guard Cameron Tatum had 19 points and five rebounds.

Oakland shot 43 percent overall, and made 90 percent of their free throws compared to Tennessee who shot 41 percent overall and 71 percent of their free-throws.

Players and coaching staff were quick to praise the energy of fans in attendance, which was the seventh highest attendance all-time in the O’rena.

“This was about showing Oakland University basketball to the world,” Kampe said. “We’ve won so many games over the past few years because of the atmosphere we’ve created here.”

Valentine said that the crowd made an impact on the court.

“Our Grizzly family wouldn’t let us down so we kept feeding off them,” Valentine said. “I credit this win with the fans.”

Oakland is now 3-3 against BCS schools in games in the O’rena.

“We are to a point now (in our program) that we can play with anyone,” Kampe said. “If we are lucky enough to get them here, we can beat anybody.”

Keith Benson, former OU center and two-time Summit League Player of the Year, had his number retired during the halftime ceremony that ended with the unveiling of his banner.

Benson was instrumental in last years win against Tenn., scoring 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Summit League conference play kicks off on Thursday night with the South Dakota Coyotes (2-3) visiting the O’rena.