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PxP: Giovanni Moceri
Color: Justin Sheappard
Studio: Harjun Buttar
After going down 0-2 in their first two matchups against Big Ten opponents Ohio State and #25 Illinois, Greg Kampe's squad defeats the Bowling Green Falcons 81-62.
Both teams came into this game with vastly different squads from last year's contest, which Bowling Green eked out over the Golden Grizzlies. Coach Todd Simon, leading the Falcons in his first year, brought an undefeated squad to the OU Credit Union O'Rena following wins against Chicago State and Arkansas State. Simon remarked that his squad was going to play high-energy and be able to compete with anybody in the NCAA.
After a 7-0 start to the game by Oakland, Bowling Green played Oakland tight for 5 minutes, not letting the Oakland offense breathe. That tight defense was quickly understood and thwarted by the Golden Grizzlies, and a 5:19 layup by newbie Tuburu Naivalurua made it 30-20. Grizzlies led 38-28 at half.
The Falcons and Golden Grizzlies traded baskets for the first 14 minutes, until the Grizzlies stifled the Falcons' offense and did not allow a single score for four minutes. Oakland quickly put away the Falcons at the end, winning by 19.
Jason Spurgin lead the Falcons with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Sam Towns was not far behind with 10 points and 9 rebounds. Trey Townsend lead the Grizzlies with 20 points and 4 rebounds. Newcomer Jack Gohlke, who has been brandishing his three-point prowess all season, was second with 14 points and an unexpected 7 rebounds.
Oakland heads to the Cayman Islands this upcoming weekend to play in their Thanksgiving tournament, and Bowling Green faces Bellarmine at the Stroh Center on Friday.
WXOU's next basketball broadcast will be Friday, November 17 when the women's basketball team takes on Cleary University. Gavin Smilowski and Joey Hayes will be on the call.