In a high-octane Horizon League opener that saw two teams push the pace to the breaking point, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (4-5, 1-0 HL) secured a crucial 101-92 home victory over the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons (4-6, 0-1 HL). The win was defined not just by Oakland’s signature 3-point barrage (13-for-29, 44.8 percent), but by the electrifying play of Brody Robinson and a clutch defensive adjustment that neutralized the Mastodons’ secondary scoring threats.
Brody Robinson: The offensive conductor
Robinson delivered a shooting and facilitating masterclass, leading the charge with 27 points, eight assists and five rebounds. His performance was a clinic in modern guard play.
He was a reliable 3-point shooter (4-for-8), but his most impactful trait was his ability to attack the paint. His exceptional combination of speed, acceleration, deceleration and body control allowed him to beat defenders off the dribble, repeatedly drawing contact to get to the line. He finished the night 9-for-14 from the free-throw line, a clear indication of his relentless pressure.
Robinson’s vision shined through, as he led all players on the court with eight assists, seamlessly transitioning from lead scorer to skilled passer to keep the offense flowing.
The emerging star duo: Robinson and Garrett
Finishing second in scoring was Isaac Garrett with 15 points, forming what could be a key duo for the Grizzlies in tougher fixtures ahead. Garrett was hyper-efficient, scoring his points on just 5-for-8 shooting, demonstrating his reliability as an interior threat who can both score and command attention to open up the perimeter for Robinson.
Complementing the scoring was the rising presence of combo forward Michael Houge. Houge is quickly becoming one of the most essential players on the roster, adding the defensive presence Oakland sorely needed. His exceptional movement and commitment to the glass saw him end the game with eight rebounds (two offensive), backed up by a block. His contributions anchored a rebounding advantage that saw Oakland out-rebound the Mastodons 43-33.
Defensive strategy and the Hadnot enigma
The contest was also a battle of wills against two dynamic individual scorers. Purdue Fort Wayne guard Corey Hadnot II delivered a scoring masterclass of his own, leading all players with 33 points on 12-for-19 shooting from the field. Hadnot looked almost unstoppable at times, scoring 20 of his points in the first half alone.
However, Oakland’s defense made a crucial strategic adjustment. The implementation of the zone defense was executed well, specifically designed to limit the impact of PFW’s other perimeter threats. This was most effective against sharpshooter Maximus Nelson, whom the defense held to 3-for-11 from the 3-point line, forcing other Mastodons to settle for tougher, less efficient shots. This defensive trade-off was ultimately the difference-maker, as PFW could not sustain a balanced attack around Hadnot’s brilliance.
Clutch shooting overcomes second-half dip
While the team finished the game with a highly efficient 3-point percentage of 44.8 percent (13-for-29), the Grizzlies experienced a noticeable shooting dip in the second half from beyond the arc. After lighting up the scoreboard with eight 3-pointers in the first half (53.3 percent), Oakland settled for 5-for-14 (35.7 percent) in the second.
Despite this cool-down, Oakland’s overall commitment to high-speed offense paid off, leading to a significant 35-14 advantage in fast-break points. This aggressive, transition-focused style, driven by Robinson and complemented by strong defensive rebounding from players like Houge, kept the Mastodons at bay and secured a pivotal nine-point win to open conference play.