(1) Oakland - 71, (5) IPFW - 58

Game Summary

IPFW came to play Monday night as they took on the obviously favored 1-seed Oakland in the Summit League Semifinals. Oakland opened the game up early when they took at 9 point lead at 9:52 in the first half but the 'Dons were not down and out, managing to take a one-point lead on a Zach Plackemeier 3-pointer with :02 to play in the first half. IPFW was able to keep up with Oakland all the way through the sub-12 TV timeout, but after that it was all Oakland. The Golden Grizzlies were able to stretch their lead as big as 15 before the game ended at 71-58 in their favor. Oakland advances to the Summit League Final against the winner of IUPUI/ORU tomorrow at 9:00PM ET on ESPN2.

It was over when…
...IPFW went just over two minutes without a basket (15:59 to 13:57). After that Oakland went on to outscore the 'Dons 28-17.

Player of the Game

Blake Cushingberry, OAK

23 points (8-12 FG, 3-7 3P, 4-4 FT), 6 REB, 3 STL, Only 1 TO and 1 foul

Stat of the Night

IPFW and Oakland were a combined 20-20 from the line. IPFW attempted just ONE (1) freethrow all game, while Keith Benson (OAK) went 7-7, Cushingberry went 6-6, and Derrick Nelson went 2-2.

What This Win Means...

Oakland is still vulnerable. Their tremendous league record is one of the most inflated stats in the entire league. Their score margin in league games was a mere 9.0 compared to IUPUI's which was 12.6. Against IUPUI and ORU, Oakland fared a horrible -4 per game, winning by 3 at the most and losing to IUPUI by 24. Oakland will win if they can dominate inside, something they had trouble with against IUPUI before.