Skorupski's OT Buzzer-Beater Inches Oakland Over Colonials

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Play-by-Play: Joey Hayes

Color: Noah Stalker

Studio: Logan Pizzurro

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies emerged victorious in a buzzer-beater overtime thriller against the Robert Morris Colonials. The final score was 67-65.

Oakland came into this contest following a crushing loss to the Youngstown State Penguins. This loss was marred by an inability to stop Youngstown’s shooters and poor free-throw shooting, and marked their third-consecutive loss. 

Robert Morris came into this game following a 49-68 loss to the Detroit Mercy Titans. They shot an abysmal 30% from the field and 23% from three. This also marked their eleventh-consecutive loss, and their thirteenth loss in Horizon League play. 

For the first seven minutes of the contest, neither team could find their footing and both teams took the lead quickly and lost it just as fast. Oakland did not have an early answer for Danielle Vuletich, allowing her to score in transition and forcing Oakland into their physical defensive sets. A trip to the free throw line for Oakland’s Kennedie Montue sparked a 7-0 run to end the first quarter to give Oakland a 19-13 advantage.

A five-point stretch by Maddy Skorupski gave Oakland an 11-point cushion early in the second. Unfortunately, for both offenses, this was followed by four scoreless minutes. A combination of bad offensive and good defensive play for both teams kept the game stagnant. A Danielle Vuletich layup broke the ice, and both teams started to trade blows until halftime. Oakland held a 30-24 margin heading into the half. 

Robert Morris went on a 9-0 run to take the lead early in the third quarter. Oakland took the lead back with 2:53 left in the third quarter following a pair of made free throws by Brooke Quarles-Daniels. Oakland’s offense caught fire, but was matched by Robert Morris every bucket, and Oakland held a 47-41 margin over the Colonials heading into the fourth.

Robert Morris threatened Oakland’s lead with a pair of baskets to make the score 49-46. Oakland kept the Colonials at bay to bring the lead back up to 8 with 4:42 left in the contest. Robert Morris went on yet another 9-0 run to take a 60-59 lead with 48 seconds left in the game. A free throw by Kennedie Montue forced the contest into overtime.

With 1:58 left in overtime, Robert Morris held a 65-61 lead. Oakland struck quickly to make it 65-63. Both defenses locked down, and it seemed like Robert Morris was going to hold on and win. A late foul gave Brooke Quarles-Daniels a pair of free throws, both of which she made to even up the contest. A referee decision gave Oakland the ball with 1.6 seconds left, and Maddy Skorupski made the most of her opportunity and sunk a buzzer-beater jumper to win the game for the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies snapped a three-game skid, and will now look to take revenge against the #1 Cleveland State Vikings at the Wolstein Center. Meanwhile, the Colonials’ losing streak extends to 12, and they will try to avoid a thirteenth-consecutive loss as they prepare to take on the Green Bay Phoenix.

WXOU’s next broadcast is later tonight in the second of a WXOU doubleheader, as the Oakland men prepare to take on the Wright State Raiders at the Nutter Center. Giovanni Moceri will be on play-by-play, and Harjun Buttar will be on color. Drew Allison will be making his studio debut for WXOU. Catch all the action right here or go to the TuneIn app!