The Oakland Golden Grizzlies took care of business, delivering a commanding 68-54 win over the Green Bay Phoenix. The victory was never in serious doubt, but it didn’t start out that way, as the first half was highly competitive, with both teams exchanging runs. Green Bay jumped out to an early lead, playing with confidence and forcing Oakland to weather the storm.
However, the Golden Grizzlies quickly found their rhythm, tightening their defense and answering with a flurry of offensive plays to end the first half. Despite the Phoenix’s early push, the game was tied at 29-29 going into the break. Once the second half began, Oakland showed why they are one of the top teams in the Horizon League. They completely took control of the game, outscoring Green Bay 39-25 in the final 20 minutes. The Phoenix had no answer for the Golden Grizzlies’ offensive barrage, as Oakland’s shooting, ball movement, and defensive pressure overwhelmed their opponents.
Leading the charge for Oakland were DQ Cole and Allen Mukeba, who combined for 34 points. Cole had an efficient night, finishing with 18 points, while Mukeba added 16, showcasing his versatility both inside and on the perimeter. The two were instrumental in Oakland’s offensive attack and kept Green Bay on the backfoot throughout the second half. For Green Bay, it was a struggle. Jeremiah Johnson was the lone bright spot for the Phoenix, finishing with 16 points to lead his team.
Despite his efforts, the Phoenix couldn’t find any consistent offensive support, and their defense was unable to slow down Oakland’s dynamic playmakers. What made Oakland’s win even more impressive was the absence of head coach Greg Kampe. Kampe was suspended by the Horizon League after an altercation with a referee during Saturday’s game against Robert Morris. Despite his absence, the Golden Grizzlies showed resilience and never missed a beat, proving their depth and ability to play without their head coach on the sidelines.
With the win, Oakland improves to 7-5 in Horizon League play, putting them in a solid position for a playoff push. On the other hand, Green Bay’s losing streak continues, as they drop their 18th straight game and fall to 0-12 in conference play. The Phoenix have now lost every single one of their Horizon League matchups this season, a daunting statistic that will make their upcoming games crucial in their quest for a win. The Golden Grizzlies are hoping to build on this momentum as they move forward in conference play, while Green Bay remains in desperate need of a turnaround as they fight to salvage their season.
