The Oakland Golden Grizzlies fell to the Horizon League regular season champion Robert Morris Colonials in the Horizon League semi-finals in Corteva Coliseum from Indianapolis on Monday night, losing 79-76.
Allen Mukeba led the Golden Grizzlies in scoring, scoring 18 points, two blocks, and a steal. Buru Naivalurua was another Oakland player who was a presence all night, finishing the game with 13 points, four rebounds, and two blocks.
For the Colonials, Kam Woods was instrumental, pouring in 23 points and seven assists. Alvaro Folgueiras, the Horizon League Player of the Year, also had a solid game, recording 12 points, four rebounds and three blocks.
First Half
DQ Cole got on the scoreboard first for the Golden Grizzlies, knocking down a long triple early into the first half. Oakland would strike again on the next possession in the form of a free throw from Mukeba, which tied the game at 4-4.
With the game underway, the opening five minutes went as well as one could hope for Oakland. The Golden Grizzlies put Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year Amarion Dickerson in foul trouble, and an Isaiah Jones fastbreak layup put the Golden Grizzlies up five early.
Midway through the first, Oakland relinquished its lead to Robert Morris. After the Colonials put up some tough defensive stands, they turned defense into offense as DJ Smith knocked down a pair of triples, putting the Colonials up 24-21 with eight minutes left in the first.
Throughout the rest of the first, both teams remained close. Although the Colonials had the lead, their lead never got larger than a one-possession game.
However, the Golden Grizzlies really amped it up down the stretch. Following an I. Jones converted three to give Oakland the lead, Malcolm Christie nailed three free throws at the line after being fouled on a three-point make.
On the next Oakland possession, Naivalurua brought the hammer down with a fastbreak dunk, marking the last bucket of the half for the Golden Grizzlies, who went into the break up 38-34.
Second Half
At the start of the second half, the Golden Grizzlies continued to roll as Mukeba and Naivalurua scored the half’s first two buckets. Three minutes later, I. Jones got back into the mix with a layup, giving Oakland a 48-38 lead, their first double-digit lead of the match.
With a worrisome deficit to make up, the Colonials began to pressure Oakland, sending a press on Jaylen Jones while walling up defensively, forcing some tough looks for the Golden Grizzlies, who would go nearly seven minutes without a bucket.
Despite the drought, Oakland kept themselves in the game at the charity stripe. The Golden Grizzlies’ first make to end the cold streak came from Christie, who buried a corner three before promptly hitting another three a minute later, keeping the Golden Grizzlies in the driver’s seat.
Still, Robert Morris wouldn’t back down. A three from Folgueiras kick-started a 10-0 Colonial run that lasted three minutes, putting Robert Morris back on top with just three minutes left to go in the second.
In the game’s final moments, the Golden Grizzlies would go on a run of their own, highlighted by a three from Jayson Woodrich and another from Cole, putting Oakland up 74-71 with thirty seconds to go.
After the Colonials’ Kam Woods tied the game with an and-one three on the next possession, the Golden Grizzlies had a chance to put the game away. However, a turnover from Woodrich sealed the second, sending the game to overtime.
Overtime
In the extra period, Oakland kept it close, again with their opportunities from the free-throw line. However, the Colonials shut down all of the Golden Grizzlies’ attempts at a field goal, resulting in Oakland’s loss, 79-76.
This game marks the conclusion of the Golden Grizzlies’ 2024-25 season. Although it wasn’t a season without struggles, Oakland fought admirably down the stretch, coming up just short of another Horizon League tournament championship appearance.