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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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Horizon League Freshman of the Year and All-League First Team guard Makenzie Luehring<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n