In a game defined by 18 lead changes and 12 ties, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies proved they have the stomach for a December dogfight in the Horiz0n League. Battling through a relentless atmosphere at Truist Arena on Wednesday night, Greg Kampe’s squad secured an 82-77 victory that stands as one of their most complete performances this season.
While Oakland was outsized at the rim—finishing with zero blocks compared to NKU’s nine—the Grizzlies won the battle of will and efficiency. The victory moves them to a perfect 2-0 in Horizon League play, a crucial mark for a team finding its identity on the road.
The Houge Factor and Garrett’s Versatility
If there was a human heartbeat to this win, it was Michael Houge. Houge was an absolute force, leading the Grizzlies with 18 points and eight rebounds. He showed complete dominance in the paint in the second half, serving as the physical anchor Oakland needed to counteract NKU’s aggressive interior play.
Supporting Houge’s interior presence was Isaac Garrett, who showcased high-level versatility on the ball. Garrett notched a double-double, including four offensive boards that helped Oakland secure the second-chance points it has desperately sought all season. Late in the second half, Garrett drove inside the arc from the left wing and delivered a savvy, no-look, behind-the-back pass to Khoi Thurmon. Thurmon made the most of the highlight-reel assist, draining a spot-up 3-pointer that was integral to Oakland maintaining control. Garrett finished the night with 15 points, 11 boards and five assists.
Guard Play: Robinson’s Facilitation and Wells’ Impact
Brody Robinson continues to emerge as a premier facilitator for the Grizzlies, recording six assists against four turnovers. Robinson expertly manipulated driving angles to reach the free-throw line, where he was calm and collected, finishing a perfect 8-for-8.
For the Norse, LJ Wells was the primary engine keeping the home team afloat. Picking up the slack for a lackluster backcourt, Wells finished with 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting and nine rebounds. He proved to be a dual threat, contributing six assists while turning the ball over only once in 34 minutes of action.
Defensive Chess: Stifling Gherezgher
Oakland’s defensive game plan focused on neutralizing Northern Kentucky’s primary threats, and the zone defense execution was nearly flawless against Dan Gherezgher Jr. Gherezgher had a night to forget, as Oakland got him off his spots and prevented him from finding any rhythm. He was held to just three points on a staggering 1-for-14 shooting performance, and his two assists were effectively canceled out by two turnovers.
While NKU’s Kael Robinson managed to lead all scorers with 22 points, the Grizzlies successfully pushed him off the 3-point line, where he shot an inefficient 2-for-7. Robinson was forced to rely on his footwork and finishing around the rim to keep the Norse in the game.
Room for Growth
Despite the win, it wasn’t a perfect outing for every Grizzly. Brett White II struggled to find his “bread and butter” shot, going just 2-for-8 from deep and 4-for-11 overall. Additionally, even with Nassim Mashhour absent from the lineup, Warren Marshall IV saw limited action, recording only seven minutes.
However, winning on the road in the Horizon League is about resilience. By winning the turnover battle and capitalizing on timely plays from Garrett and Robinson, Oakland proved it has the discipline to win close games even when its perimeter shooting is off.