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ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies officially begin their postseason journey as they open the Horizon League Championship with a first round trip to Cleveland State to take on the Vikings.

The two opponents are thoroughly familiar with each other, having played each other in the final game of the regular season, where Cleveland State won a 59-73 slugfest. 

Despite that loss, Oakland had moments of success against Cleveland State’s signature 2-3 zone, moving the ball inside-out for quality looks from three, draining 11 triples in the game, five more than the Vikings.

Oakland is a top five three point shooting team in the conference, shooting 31% from deep on the season and draining 199 total threes. Those numbers are even better in conference play, as the Golden Grizzlies shoot nearly 33% from three. 

On the offensive glass was also an area of success for Oakland, outrebounding CSU 17 to seven, taking advantage of the Vikings’ struggle to rebound out of the zone.

Oakland will be tasked with stopping CSU’s All-League First Team and Horizon League Newcomer of the Year Isabella Zingaro. In two matchups against Oakland this season, Zingaro has combined for 48 points on 20-for-25 shooting and 14 rebounds. 

Horizon League Freshman of the Year and All-League First Team guard Makenzie Luehring leads the Golden Grizzlies into the postseason matchup with the Vikings. She scored in double-digits against the Vikings in both regular season meetings, including a 15-point, five assist, five rebound performance in the last meeting.

Lianna Baxter led Oakland in scoring with 18 points, and rebounds with eight, in their last trip to the Wolstein Center. Baxter’s ability to spread the floor with her shooting, and rebound is a perfect counter for the Vikings’ system.

In their first postseason action of the 2025-26 season, the Golden Grizzlies are looking to repeat 2024-25, where they traveled on the road to beat IU Indy in the first round of the Horizon League Championship.

Catch the opening action of the 2025-26 Horizon League Championship on Wednesday, Mar. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Oh., streamed on ESPN+.

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