Cleveland State falls to Oakland in Horizon League Tournament

ROCHESTER HILLS » Oakland University is playing its best basketball at the perfect time of the year.

The No. 6 seed Golden Grizzlies men’s team defeated No. 7 seed Cleveland State 80-59 in the opening round of the Horizon League Tournament on March 3 at Oakland’s O’Rena.

Oakland (14-18) has now won six of its last seven games. At press time the Grizzlies were waiting to find out their opponent and location for their Horizon League quarterfinal game on March 5.

On March 3, the Grizzlies opened the lead up

with a 9-0 run in the first half. They were 6 of 17 from the 3-point line in the opening 20 minutes while Cleveland State was 0 of 4 from 3-point range.

The Grizzlies went into the locker room at the half holding a 41-26 lead and they continued to build on it in the second half.

Xavier Hill-Mais, named to the Horizon League’s first team, notched his 11th double-double this season with 26 points and 23 rebounds.

Other Grizzlies in double figures: Forward Daniel

Oladapo (19 points), guard Tray Maddox (17 points) and Rashad Williams (14 points).

In the regular season Oakland defeated Cleveland State in both matchups — 68-55 on Jan. 11 and 79-74 on Feb. 13.

Oakland is 4-6 in the Horizon League Championship since joining the league and 18-15 alltime in Division I league tournaments. The Golden Grizzlies are 15-8 all-time as the higher seed in conference tournaments.

The last time Oakland and CSU met in postseason play was March 5, 2018, in the semifinals at Little Caesars Arena. Cleveland State won the low-scoring contest, 44-43.

THE SCORE

OAKLAND 80, CLEVELAND STATE 59