The Oakland Golden Grizzlies women’s basketball team enters the final week of their regular season with two critical matchups that could determine their postseason fate. The team will host Northern Kentucky (NKU) on February 25 for their last home game before traveling to Cleveland State for the season finale on February 28. These games are not just a test of the Golden Grizzlies’ skill but also of their readiness for the Horizon League Championship, as they are currently locked into the seventh seed.
After back-to-back victories over Purdue Fort Wayne and Robert Morris, including a strong second-half comeback to win 71-61 against Robert Morris, the Golden Grizzlies are playing their best basketball of the season. This impressive form comes during one of their most challenging stretches, as they’ve faced five top-half teams in the conference. Their elevated play has proven they can compete with any team heading into the postseason.
The Golden Grizzlies’ first opponent this week is Northern Kentucky (14-15, 11-7 HL), currently sitting in fourth place in the Horizon League standings. NKU comes into the game on a strong run, winning four of their last five games, including a 68-62 victory over Wright State on February 21. The two teams last met on February 3, in a nail-biting contest that saw Northern Kentucky edge out Oakland with a 67-66 win, thanks to a game-winning play by Anna Hamilton.
This upcoming matchup promises to be a thrilling rematch, featuring a head-to-head between two of the league’s top freshmen: Oakland’s Makenzie Luehring and NKU’s Karina Bystry. Luehring has been a standout with an average of 14.7 points per game, alongside 1.4 steals, 3.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds. Bystry is close behind with 14.6 points per game, and both players have made a significant impact for their respective teams.
Northern Kentucky’s offense has been high-scoring but inconsistent, ranking third in the league with 69.2 points per game but struggling with efficiency (last in field goal percentage at .379). They also lead the league in free throws made, with 278 on the season. Oakland will look to counter this with their own potent offense, which boasts the third-best three-point shooting in the league, having drained 127 threes.
The Golden Grizzlies’ final regular-season game will take them to Cleveland State (21-8, 11-7 HL), one of the top teams in the Horizon League. Cleveland State has rebounded from an early-season slump, winning four consecutive games, most recently dominating IU Indy 74-45. The Vikings are powered by their dynamic trio of Izabella Zingaro (16.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg), Colbi Maples (15.1 ppg), and Jada Leonard (12.0 ppg, 3.0 apg).
Cleveland State has proven to be a tough opponent, having handed Oakland a 72-55 loss in their previous matchup this season. In that game, Leonard and Zingaro combined for 45 points, showcasing their offensive firepower. However, Oakland may have a better defensive counter this time around, as their new double-big lineup featuring Sereniti Roberts-Adams and Lianna Baxter has proven effective, particularly since Roberts-Adams entered the starting five.
Despite the tough challenge ahead, Oakland has not won at Cleveland State’s Wolstein Center since the 2016-17 season, and they will be looking to end that drought in this critical matchup.
With the postseason just around the corner, both games are pivotal for Oakland as they prepare for the Horizon League Championship. The Golden Grizzlies are aiming to enter the tournament on a high note, and their strong performances this week will be key to securing momentum for the upcoming playoff run. The team’s ability to rise to the occasion during these last two games will serve as a strong indicator of their readiness for the postseason, where every game could be a potential challenge.
As the Golden Grizzlies approach the final week of regular-season play, the stakes have never been higher. With talented opponents and a spot in the Horizon League Championship on the line, Oakland is ready to prove that they can compete with the best.
