The Oakland University men’s basketball team finished out their non-conference schedule Monday easily defeating Alma College by a score of 106-57.

“It was pretty much what we expected,” said OU coach Greg Kampe. “It’s the type of game we wanted and needed at this particular juncture in our schedule and I thought it went pretty much the way we thought it would go.”

Oakland seized the game from the tip-off; limiting Alma to just one shot attempt in the first four minutes while cruising to a 15-0 run. The Grizzlies converted a season-high 13 three-pointers to score the most points in a regulation game since they scored 107 against Spring Arbor on Nov. 3, 2002.

Eleven players scored for Oakland, including Redshirt Freshman Jay Thames, whose three-pointer in the second half gave him his first career points.

“It was great to see us shoot the ball the way we shot the ball,” Kampe said. “I know they weren’t contested, but still, we stepped up and we made shots and that’s what we needed to do.”

Junior guard Larry Wright led the way for the Grizzlies, going six for seven from three-point range and scoring career-high 22 points. Wright, who struggled with his shot early in the season, feels that he is finally getting near the form he had before he sat out a year due to NCAA transfer regulation.

“I feel comfortable now,” Wright said. “Coach tells me to shoot the ball; I have just been getting more comfortable each game and each practice.”

Wright was one of five Oakland players to score in double-figures. He joined Ledrick Eackles, Ilija Milutinovic, Blake Cushingberry and Keith Benson. Eackles and Milutinovic both scored career highs with 11 and 12 points, respectively. Benson, whose stock on NBA draft boards continues to rise, added 11 rebounds to record his Summit League leading eighth double-double of the season.

Oakland’s schedule, which has been the topic of discussion this season for the national powers it featured, will be filled with only conference games for the remainder of the season. The Grizzlies went a disappointing 0-5 in the games against national powers; and were unable to make a game out of any of them.

Kampe said he believes, though, that those games have little to do with how successful this season will be. “To me, our record is 1-0, I don’t worry about that (other) stuff,” Kampe said. “I grew up in the Bo Schembeckler era and all he talked about was winning the Big 10 championship and all we ever talk about is winning our league. Everything we do is to try and put us in a position where we can win our conference,” Kampe said.

Oakland begins their stretch of Summit League games Dec. 31 against Western Illinois.