The Golden Grizzlies’ run through the Summit League schedule gained a little more speed Thursday night as Oakland University (10-8, 5-0) handed visiting IUPUI a convincing defeat, 85-71, to remain perfect in the conference standings.

With starting point guard Larry Wright still sidelined with an ankle injury, junior Reggie Hamilton was given the reins to the OU offense and responded with a career-high 28 points while also dishing out seven assists.

“I credit that to Johnathon Jones,” Hamilton said of his play at point guard. “I have talks with him all the time and he preaches to me to find your open teammates and believe in them. So I trust them to knock down open shots and that’s what they’re doing.”

Hamilton shot 10-of-12 from the field, knocking down seven 3-pointers along the way.

“The last two or three games, (Hamilton) had been going through one of those lulls where it’s just not going in,” head coach Greg Kampe said. “But then yesterday we had a 4-on-4 drill and his team was losing and in trouble and then he made five in a row. I was sitting there thinking, ‘He’s back.'”

With Keith Benson in deep foul trouble throughout the game, Oakland also received inspired performances from two of its role players.

Redshirt freshman Travis Bader gave the offense a jolt of life in the second half and finished with a career-high 18 points. He knocked down five 3-pointers while grabbing six boards and four assists.

But it was teammate Drew Valentine’s effort that drew the most praise from Kampe following the game.

“If I gave a game ball tonight it would be to Drew Valentine. His effort tonight was herculean. Valentine did a hell of a job (guarding) Alex Young.”

Valentine just missed recording a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds and made it difficult for Kampe to take him off the court at any time.

After grabbing its first lead three minutes into the game, Oakland steadily built its advantage throughout the first half to as many as 21 points.

An impressive 8-for-13 performance from behind the 3-point arc in the first half was trumped by a 7-for-10 outburst in the second stanza, as the Grizzlies shot a season-high 65.2 percent from deep overall.

OU’s 50-31 halftime lead began to dwindle in the first 10 minutes of the second half before Kampe’s pleading for better defensive play finally hit home with his players.

“At the ten minute mark, I think I got to them and they understood what they had to do,” Kampe said. “Then Bader made sure this game didn’t get sweaty-palmed by knocking down a couple (3-pointers) in the corner.”

With 10 NBA scouts in attendance to see Benson play, the Grizzlies’ center was limited to just 23 minutes, but likely made an impression anyway with a five-block performance and nine points.

“Almost every time we bring the ball down the floor we try and get it in (Benson’s) hands. But the biggest change when he isn’t in there is defensively protecting the basket. Our defense is designed around him so when he is out we give up some easy baskets sometimes because we don’t protect the basket.”

After seeing a lengthy home winning streak come to an end against Valparaiso last month, Kampe said his team was determined not to let it happen again by protecting home-court advantage.

“I was very pleased with the game. We were always in control and always in great shape,” Kampe said. “IUPUI is going to be a team that will be there when the season is over. They are going to be a team that everybody fears in our league tournament because of their athleticism and the way they shoot the ball.”

Late in the first half it appeared the Grizzlies may have lost Ledrick Eackles to a serious ankle injury. After completing an acrobatic alley-oop play, the sophomore guard landed awkwardly beneath the basket, grimacing in severe pain before being helped off the court. To the surprise of the crowd, however, Eackles returned for the second half and was able to jog around the court. He is expected to miss Oakland’s next game.

The status of Larry Wright also remains in question, as Kampe said he remains day-to-day with the ankle injury he sustained against Centenary last week.

Up next for Oakland is the first of two meetings this season with Western Illinois. The Grizzlies will tip off with the Leathernecks at 6 p.m. on Saturday.