On Saturday, Feb. 10, the Oakland women’s basketball team defeated the Robert Morris University (RMU) Colonials 67-65 thanks to a buzzer-beater from Maddy Skorupski at the OU Credit Union O’rena.
Markyia McCormick led the Grizzlies in scoring and assists with 13 points, most of which came from the 3-point line, and three assists. Meanwhile, Brooke Quarles-Daniels brought in the most rebounds for the team, with nine total rebounds.
The start of the first quarter was a battle between both teams. While the Grizzlies got a couple of takeaways through their strong defense and full-court press, the Colonials kept the pace. Through the first six minutes of play, OU held a slight three-point lead over RMU, 12-9.
By the end of the first quarter, the Grizzlies had built on their lead throughout the rest of the first quarter, finishing the period leading RMU 19-13. Notably, OU’s 19 points were a total team effort, as seven different Grizzlies had at least a point at the end of the first quarter.
At the start of the second quarter, the Grizzlies continued to play aggressive basketball and built on their lead. OU kept finding success on all three levels of the court, and the team limited the Colonials to just two points in the first five minutes of the quarter.
To end the second quarter, the Colonials stepped up on offense and started to slow the Grizzlies down on the other side of the court. As a result, RMU began to close a once-11-point OU lead.
However, the Grizzlies’ impressive first half was enough to give them the lead heading into halftime, at 30-24.
To begin the third quarter, the Colonials consistently found success on offense, while the Grizzlies offense came to a complete halt. Following a 3-pointer from Natalie Johnson, RMU took the lead from OU for the first time since they had it in the first quarter.
Despite the Colonials’ lead, a steal from Kennedie Montue led to a fastbreak make from Quarles-Daniels, initiating a 13-7 Grizzly run. By the end of the quarter, OU led RMU 47-41.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies and the Colonials remained fiercely competitive. While the Grizzlies maintained their lead over RMU, the Colonials were able to find some easy baskets down in the paint and kept up the pace with OU.
However, after Linda van Schaik hit a deep three with four minutes remaining in the game, the Grizzlies extended their lead to eight points. Despite the OU lead late in the game, RMU scored nine unanswered points and led the Grizzlies by a single point with 48 seconds left.
After an OU timeout, Kennedie Montue was fouled down low and converted one of her two free throw attempts to tie up the game at 60 points apiece.
Although both teams had a chance to take the lead back, the Grizzlies and the Colonials missed their opportunities, and the game went into overtime.
In overtime, the Grizzlies got on the board first, as Skorupski made a free throw at the charity stripe. However, the Colonials scored five straight points, giving them a four-point lead with two minutes left.
Despite the string of offense from RMU, a Montue layup and a make at the free throw line from Quarles-Daniels tied up the game with 23 seconds to go.
After the Colonials missed the go-ahead basket, Quarles-Daniels found Skorupski right in front of the basket. Skorupski converted as the buzzer sounded to give the Grizzlies their sixth conference win of the season.
Next on the agenda, the Grizzlies will tip off a three-game road streak against the Cleveland State Vikings on Thursday, Feb. 15.