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ROCHESTER, Mich. - Looking to snap an eight-game losing streak against Oakland, Western Illinois dropped a 79-50 decision to the Golden Grizzlies Saturday (Jan. 8) night at the Athletics Center O'rena. Oakland (11-8, 6-0) remains perfect in The Summit League and extends its conference-winning streak to 14 games, while the Fighting Leathernecks fall to 6-9 overall and 1-4 conference play.
Western was held to 36.8 (21-of-57) percent shooting and shot 5-of-14 from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Oakland made 48 percent of its shots, including 9-of-23 from beyond the arc. The Golden Grizzlies, who hit 22-of-28 free throws, out-rebounded the Leathernecks 41-32, scored 17 points off turnovers and collected 13 second chance points.
Matched up against future NBA draft pick Keith Benson, junior forward Kaimarr Price scored 10 out of Western Illinois' first 14 points on his way to a career-high 17 points. Price, who was 8-of-17 from the field, also co-led the Leathernecks with five rebounds.
Senior guard Brandon Smith hit 5-of-10 shots, including 2-of-5 from downtown, for a career-high 12 points. Junior guard Tommie Tyler added seven points and four rebounds, and Jelani Johnson chipped in nine points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.Â
Benson, who entered the game averaging 17.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per contest, finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds. The 6-foot-11 senior also collected five blocks. Fellow senior Will Hudson had a game-high 18 points, sophomore forward Drew Valentine posted a double-double (17 points and 14 rebounds) and freshman guard Travis Bader hit 5-of-8 three point attempts.
Western Illinois led 8-7 with 17:20 remaining in the first half following Price's fourth straight field goal, and trailed by just four points following Price's fifth bucket of the first half at the 8:40 mark. Oakland followed with a 24-4 run to close out the half and took a 42-18 lead into the locker room. Western was held scoreless from the 4:22 mark in the first half until Price's sixth field goal of the game with 15:37 remaining in the 2nd half.
The Golden Grizzlies shot 53.6 percent (15-of-28) in the first half, including 6-of-14 from three-point range. The Leathernecks shot just 27.6 percent (8-of-29) from the field and committed nine first half turnovers.
Western Illinois is back in action on Thursday, Jan. 13, when the Fighting Leathernecks return home to host Summit League foe South Dakota State. Tip-off on Waste Management Court inside Western Hall is set for 7 p.m.
