Oakland Sets League Block Record; #HLMBB Update Jan. 8

Oakland blocked its way to a 4-0 start in Horizon League play, setting a conference record with 18 blocked shots in a hard-fought win at UIC. The Golden Grizzlies connected on just 34.4 percent of their field goal attempts, but limited the Flames to 24.3 percent shooting in the defensive battle. Valparaiso’s Shane Hammink scored 23 and Tevonn Walker contributed 21 points as the Crusaders held off a Detroit Mercy rally in the final minutes to improve to 2-1 in the league and 12-4 overall.

Oakland 58, at UIC 57*
CHICAGO (AP) -- Jalen Hayes scored 20 points and got a key block at the buzzer to lift Oakland past UIC for a 58-57 win Sunday.

It was one of a Horizon League record 18 blocked shots for the Golden Grizzlies. Xavier Hill-Mais had six, Isaiah Brock added five and Hayes finished with three. Oakland's previous single-game high was 14.

Oakland (14-3, 4-0 Horizon) trailed by six at the break but used an 11-1 run that included a 3-pointer from Sherron Dorsey-Walker to take a 50-45 lead midway through the second half. The Flames fought back, retaking the lead with K.J. Santos' 3-pointer to go up 57-56 with 2:05 to go. But Hayes rebounded his own miss and hit the second-chance layup to put Oakland back on top for good with 1:37 left. He blocked a layup at the buzzer to seal the win.

MBB Pages: Oakland | UIC

at Valparaiso 81, Detroit Mercy 74*
VALPARAISO, Ind. -- The Valparaiso University men’s basketball team got back on the winning track Sunday afternoon at the ARC, putting together one of its best offensive performances of the year in an 81-74 victory over Detroit Mercy.

Senior Shane Hammink matched his career high with 23 points. Junior Tevonn Walker and senior Alec Peters both posted double-doubles, while Peters also matched Bryce Drew’s Valpo record for career field goals made with his final basket of the game.

MBB Pages: Valparaiso | Detroit Mercy

This Week’s Results
J5 at Wright State 55, Cleveland State 51*
J5 at Northern Kentucky 83, Youngstown State 70*

J6 at UIC 78, Detroit Mercy 64*
J6 at Green Bay 80, Milwaukee 74*
J6 Oakland 78, at Valparaiso 66*

J7 at Northern Kentucky 83, Cleveland State 75*
J7 Youngstown State 80. at Wright State 75*

J8 Detroit Mercy at Valparaiso 81, Detroit Mercy 74*
J8 Oakland 58, at UIC 57*
*Horizon League game