Oden to Make Ohio State Debut--
MICentralSports.comGrizzlies frustrated by near misses vs. big boys--
The Oakland Press
Close calls
By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press
ROCHESTER — Freshman Johnathon Jones has eight college games under his belt and he’s already frustrated. He has good reason.
The point guard is disappointed because the Oakland University men’s basketball team has been so close to making a statement against some of the country’s big boys, but has fallen short at the final buzzer.
The Golden Grizzlies will try to get over the hump when they face the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at 4 p.m. today at the Oakland Athletics Center.
OU (4-4) is looking to rebound after suffering a second-half letdown that resulted in a seven-point loss at Cincinnati on Wednesday.
It was the second time this season that OU had a halftime lead against a Big East opponent on the road and then lost.
That was just one of several painful losses OU has endured during one of its most challenging non-conference schedules in school history.
OU played what coach Greg Kampe referred to as a very bad first half of basketball at Michigan State a week ago. The Grizzlies outscored the Spartans 40-31 in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome 4-for-18 shooting in the fi rst half.
Earlier last month, OU had a four-point lead at halftime against No. 5-ranked Pittsburgh. The Grizzlies couldn’t maintain their intensity and they lost by 11 points.
Playing tough against some of the country’s big-named teams does not offer any solace to Jones.
“It’s frustrating because we know that we can play those teams and we know that we can beat them,” said Jones, who made it to the state finals with Okemos High last season, “but we just get outside of our game sometimes and don’t finish the game like we should. It’s really frustrating because we know we have all the keys to win the game.”
The Grizzlies will look to learn from their previous experiences and take advantage of the fact that they’re back home for the first time since Nov. 12.
OU went 2-4 during its extended road trip.
The outcome could have been much better.
The Grizzlies need to simply find a way to play two solid halves of basketball against the same team.
“We’ve played one bad half of basketball all year and that was the first half against Michigan State,” Kampe said. “We’ve had seven and a half halves that have been really good or have been average. That one was really, really bad. That’s where my disappointment and my frustration is. But what I’ve learned in my 23 years of doing this, is this is a marathon and the only thing that matters is March. What we’re trying to do is prepare for March.”
OU has been competitive with its opponents because of its man-to-man defense.
The Grizzlies have held opponents to 28 percent from 3-point range and 42 percent overall.
The 42 percent is down from the 48 percent opponents shot a year ago.
“The strength of our team is our defense and our rebounding,” Kampe said. “We’re contesting shots extremely well. We’re playing with great energy. If we want to be successful, that’s got to continue.”
UWM at OU men--
The Oakland Press
When: 4 p.m., today
Where: Oakland Athletics Center
Records: UWM 2-6; OU 4-4
Notable: OU is looking to rebound from a rough second half in which the Golden Grizzlies couldn’t hold onto a lead against Cincinnati on Wednesday. ... Senior center Shawn Hopes scored 17 points the last time out to take over the team scoring lead with a 12.3 average. ... OU’s four wins for November matched the school record set last season. ... The Panthers are 0-3 so far this season in road games. ... OU and UWM are meeting for the second straight season and the seventh time overall. The Panthers picked up bragging rights the last six times out. This time could be different, however. UWM graduated seven seniors, including all five starters, from last season’s squad that made it to the second round of the NCAA tourney. The 2004-05 Panthers made it all the way to the Sweet 16. ... OU has held opponents to 42 percent shooting from the fi eld so far this season, compared to 48 percent a year ago. ... OU’s current RPI ranking of 111 is the highest its ever been. ... This marks OU’s first home game since Nov. 12. After this brief stop, OU will play the next five games on the road. including stops at UCLA, Arkansas and Marquette.
Up next: OU at Eastern Michigan, 7 p.m., Tuesday
Rochester at OU women--
The Oakland Press
When: 6:30 tonight
Where: Oakland Athletics Center
Records: Rochester College 3-5; OU 2-4
Overview: Oakland returns home after playing the last five games on the road. The Golden Grizzlies are looking to snap a two-game skid, including an 89-58 loss at No. 24-ranked Bowling Green. Junior transfer Charlese Greer went 5-for-6 from the field to score 16 points off the bench in the loss. ... OU did enjoy a 68-62 upset over Eastern Michigan while out on the extended road trip. ... This will mark game the ninth game of a 14-contest road trip for Rochester College. ... OU senior Nicole Piggott is averaging 15.7 points and freshman Hanna Reising is close behind with 13.0 points per game.
Up next: OU vs. Toledo, 7 p.m., Tuesday.
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