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A Trusted Source of Independent Student Journalism since 1987.
Golden Grizzlies men’s basketball team sweeps Metro Series 93-83 in dramatic overtime fashion.
BYE BYE PENNIES
Volume 50 l Issue 20 l February 19, 2025
PHOTO BY KATIE REID
CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC SCIENCES SOCIETY (CDSS) students tie-dye t-shirts at their Falling in Lung Valentine’s Day-themed event. Learn more about CDSS and the event on page 5.
Don Ritenburgh Business Adviser ritenbur@oakland.edu
248.370.2533
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Spreading the love at OU’s Week of Kindness Volunteer Fair
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
Around a dozen local non-profit organizations that tabled at the Oakland Center on Feb. 12 are taking OU’s Week of Kindness beyond university grounds.
“Organizations like ours; we depend on volunteers, I need up to 100 volunteers to make my program run,” Michelle Wogaman, Bound Together director, said. “There have been any number of Oakland University students who have been a really important part of the Bound Together story, particularly in the last five years.”
Offering tutoring for children in Pontiac and other enrichment programs in arts, STEM, literacy and fitness, Bound Together tabled at OU for those interested in helping middle and elementary school students.
“There’s only a 71% graduation rate in Pontiac,” Wogaman said. “Our job is to make sure that everyone gets into high school, well prepared to get that diploma and that we’re also providing that story, that self-talk, that says ‘I’m going to stay in school, I’m going to graduate from high school and here’s what I want to do with my life.’”
Founded 30 years ago, Bound Together saw an increase in college student volunteers during the pandemic as online tutoring became widespread. Post-pandemic, they sought to maintain the
engagement they had with the OU community — something the Forgotten Harvest also procures.
“There’s a pantry that is about three and a half miles from here that you can go and volunteer at or there’s also a pantry at the Oakland Center,” Sydney Johnson, Forgotten Harvest community engagement coordinator, said. “We give a donation to Oakland University so if they want to donate at the actual Oakland Center they can give out food there.”
The food rescue organization feeds people across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties with 144,000 pounds of surplus food per day provided by donors and community partners.
“We have over 500 donors. We work with Kroger, Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, local restaurants, and they are giving us food,” Johnson said. “We sort the food, looking for quality and making sure the food is good enough to go out to the public.”
In a similar manner, Micah 6 Community focuses on community gardens as a way of fighting food scarcity in Pontiac.
“We have four-season gardens, we have a children’s garden, we grow a lot of fruits, vegetables, stuff like that and have kids programming during the summer,” Renee Duvall, Micah 6 Community volunteer coordinator, said. “So, there’s a lot to do over the summer — growing food, getting harvests and serving the community because we are in a food desert.”
The Pontiac-based initiative has also diversified its operations by creating a community center,
building tiny homes for the elderly population and helping kids enroll in school.
“We are currently renovating an elementary school that recently closed down. We are turning it into a community center,” Duvall said. “It’s gonna have head start programs, a lot of kids programs, dance classes, art classes, stuff like that. We’re gonna have a grocery store in there, we’re gonna have a walk-in clinic.”
OU students and alumni participated in the volunteer fair as organization representatives, attesting to the longstanding commitment between grizzlies and the community.
“I started in January of this year. I help with social media, I help around the warehouse, and I attend events like this,” Diana Toma, OU student and intern at The Bottomless Toy Chest, said. “I heard about it from my teacher actually — Professor Valerie Palmer-Mehta.”
Ava Pritchard, program coordinator at The Bottomless Toy Chest, a nonprofit helping children with cancer, also started as an intern while she was a student at OU. Now graduated, she has started her career with the same organization.
“I also started as an intern last January and then it evolved into a certain job as program coordinator,” Pritchard said. “I love Bottomless Toy Chest because we’re there on their worst days, keeping the hospital stocked with toys so if a child might receive bad news with a toy, maybe it won’t be so bad.”
New Chick-fil-A to open across from Oakland after 2020 campus closure
MALLORY WALIGORA Political Editor
A new Chick-fil-A is set to open near Oakland University. The new restaurant will be located at 2111 North Squirrel Road, across from The Oakland Center and Meadow Brook Theatre, where the old Macaroni Grill Restaurant was located.
Groundbreaking for the project started in the Fall of 2024. The City of Auburn Hills has confirmed that the new Chick-fil-A will open in Spring 2025, although an official date has not yet been announced.
This new Chick-fil-A has been met with both support and controversy.
Residents of Auburn Hills and Rochester have voiced concerns about traffic congestion in the area with the highly popular chain, especially with Oakland University’s campus traffic adding to the situation.
Chick-fil-A was required to provide a traffic analysis to confirm that the restaurant would not cause traffic congestion.
“Because Chick-fil-A typically generates a higher customer demand than its competitors, the City required the developer and Chick-fil-A, Inc. to provide a Traffic Study, Drive-Through Lane Queuing Analysis, and Traffic and Circulation Narrative to determine whether 1) the site could handle the vehicular demand associated with the proposed facility, and 2) the proposed facility would not negatively impact the roadways and surrounding properties… the City’s Administrative Site Plan Review team finds the project will not cause transportation, safety, or congestion problems, ” according to The City of Auburn Hills,
“The findings show that there is not a significant impact on the overall road network… This site is larger than other Chick-fil-A sites and would be maximized so the traffic would be drawn away from Squirrel to the back of the property. The building is orientated such that the drive-through would wrap around and utilize as much of the property as possible.
“Mr. Lurk stated that the stacking issues experienced at the M-59/Hall Road Chick-fil-A store occur because the natural traffic patterns on Hall Road and Schoenherr Road are much higher than those on N. Squirrel Road. In addition, the Hall Road Chick-fil-A site is significantly smaller than the proposed Auburn Hills location, with fewer stacking spaces,” The City of Auburn Hills explained at a council meeting.
From the span of 2012 to 2020, there was a Chickfil-A in the Oakland Center, offering on-campus dining for students. In 2020, the Chick-fil-A in Oakland Center shut down.
Although there have been multiple reasons linked to the restaurant closing at the Oakland Center, including low demand, one of the other reasons has been linked to the CEO’s past statements regarding the LGBTQ+ community.
The Oakland Post talked with Blake Ilhan, coordinator for the Gender and Sexuality Center for Oakland University. Ilan was not able to comment on the new Chick-fil-A opening, however, Ilan provided insight on the now-closed Chick-fil-A in the Oakland Center.
“Prior to 2020, for at least 10 years, there had been advocacy by student leaders and student organizations, primarily in the org[anization] that is now called SAGE, but was called GSA until recently, to try to remove the Chick-fil-A from campus at the time.”
“Especially in the first half of that [2010s], the donations from Chick-fil-A were significantly worse than they are now, and so there was millions of dollars going to very violently anti-LGBT organizations, and people around it was very much in the news. People around the country were protesting Chick-fil-A for that reason.
“Contracts were expiring with Chartwells and Chickfil-A and that for a variety of reasons, one of them being wanting to make sure that the vendors we work with align with OU’s statement of values, that the decision was made not to renew that contract,” Ilhan said.
The Oakland Post asked how important these anti-LGBTQ statements were in the decision to shut down Chick-fil-A.
“My understanding that it was one of many [factors].
It wasn’t completely not a thought, but that it was not [the] only factor in that decision,” Ilhan said.
The Oakland Post also asked how important student activism efforts were in the decision to close down the restaurant.
“It is not clear to me at all how important it was in 2020. The student activism definitely had an impact on many people’s decisions as to whether or not they wanted to support Chick-fil-A, and I think really helped make help people make educated decisions about that. But no, I have no clue if that impacted their bottom line in a significant way,” Ilhan said.
The Oakland Post asked Glenn McIntosh, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs & Chief Diversity Officer at Oakland University, for a comment. Below is the statement.
“I wanted to provide some background and comments for the story regarding the new Chick-fil-A opening across the street from OU.
Chick-fil-A first opened a Michigan location at Oakland University in 2012 and was a tenant in our food court until the fall of 2020. During the pandemic, with significantly lower demand for on-campus dining, we worked with Chartwells, our campus food service provider, to explore new dining options for students returning post-pandemic.
I anticipate that our dining options on campus will continue to evolve, and I fully support the success of local eateries near OU, including the recent addition of O’Grizzly’s Bar and Bistro and the upcoming Chickfil-A. Having a variety of food options—both on and off campus—enhances the experience for our students, faculty, and staff.”
Chick-fil-A has not responded to The Oakland Post’s request for comment.
PHOTO BY THE OAKLAND POST
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHICK-FIL-A
Global awareness and community building at Chinese Corner
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
On Fridays at noon, a little conference room on the third floor of O’Dowd Hall becomes the Chinese Corner at Oakland University.
With an increase in cultural events and higher attendance at China Club meetings, professor HsiangHua (Melanie) Chang and the China Club E=Board have been redefining cultural awareness and international community building.
“I’m working to rebuild the Chinese language program and increase attendance at Chinese cultural events,”
Chang, associate professor of Chinese, said. “In this era of AI, I strongly believe that cultural proficiency, global awareness, student connections and community building are more important than ever. I hope that China Club can help students develop these essential soft skills.”
As a relatively small program, Chinese Studies has around five students enrolled in upper-level classes, a stark contrast with its 15 students at its peak enrollment year, 2020. As coordinator of the Chinese program, Chang has created a larger and more engaged community of students.
“I never took any Chinese classes, but I’ve just always been really interested in the culture,” Ryan McMahon, an economics student, said. “I found out that there was a China Club here, so I decided to go to one of the meets for the first time a few weeks ago. It was an amazing experience, so I came back ever since.”
Many students like McMahon have become part of the new “Chinese Corner Lunch and Learn” meetings, providing food and language support for the almost 15 weekly attendees and reflecting a growing interest in the club.
“A couple of weeks ago, there were people with Spanish majors, Japanese majors, they just came to experience the club,” Lailah Moore, China Club president, said. “We are just making a community of language learners so you don’t have to know a language, but we’ll help you regardless.”
While the Chinese Corner meetings seek to help students practice any level of Chinese by talking with a language partner — with native speakers like foreign exchange students — or practicing with other students and staff, they also collaborate with other campus groups
to inform them about current and local events.
“This week we just talked about career and life,” Moore said. “[At] our typical meetings we normally practice Chinese with various dialogues, eat food of course, and you know, just chat with each other in different levels of Chinese.”
After more than 15 years as the club’s adviser and with a more present student community, Chang founded the first National Collegiate Chinese Honor Society at OU back in 2016. The organization encourages students to continue their Chinese studies after graduation as well as promoting the culture in their communities.
“It is the first of its kind in Michigan,” Chang said. “Although students must satisfy the national headquarters’ criteria to be inducted into the National Honor Society, everyone is welcome to attend events hosted by our OU Chapter.”
Many students and faculty members prepared to attend the 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration at Detroit Riverfront to connect with the larger metro Detroit community. Thus, learning a language goes beyond basic communication, it is a critical skill in the global age we live in, Chang explained.
“For our students, learning a foreign language isn’t just about words and grammar—it’s also about understanding different cultures,” Chang said. “ Language and culture go hand in hand, and by exploring traditions, customs, and perspectives, students gain a deeper, more meaningful learning experience. This helps them not only improve their language skills but also become more open-minded and globally aware.”
For more China Club events, please visit China Club on GrizzOrgs or @ouchineselanguage on Instagram.
Falling in Lung with the Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences Society
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES AND MATILDE RABAJOLI
Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences Society (CDSS) took students’ breath away with a Valentine’s Daythemed event about the heart’s best friends — the lungs.
On Valentine’s Day, the CDSS hosted a crafts event for students to review their physiology notes and enjoy the weekend with homemade crafts, tie-dyes and more lung puns than one could think of.
“This year, we’ve been getting into more crafty, innovative ideas for meetings and everything,” Beckie Swartz, CDSS president, said. “We really want to create that environment that clinical and diagnostics science students want to be a part of.”
Lake Erie Room, in the Oakland Center’s basement, was the perfect spot for a cozy crafts session and a competitive Kahoot session about the lungs.
“Today was a fun, little quirky, Valentine’s Daythemed event. It really came from the name,” Swartz said. “We were just trying to think of Valentine’s Day themes and then I was like, ‘Falling in Lung.’”
The CDSS has been experimenting with the balance between fun and learning to engage in a more meaningful and impactful way with its growing membership.
“We got a lot of students as well as one of our professors, which was really fun. We got to do a fun craft, which I think is what we’re trying to do this year — merge doing fun things and also learning,”
Natalie Ishioka, CDSS secretary, said. “It’s a great opportunity, especially for some of our students who are just freshmen or sophomores, doing things like
this is something they can understand because they’ve had physiology, but [it] also is a good refresher for older students.”
Understanding the people in your major and the students that attend your event is a key part of not only making the event engaging but also growing a close community, Swartz explained.
“I really wanted to make that safe little bubble for everyone you know — myself, my friends, everyone that I meet — where they feel safe enough to open up and make long, lasting connections,” Swartz said. “[The CDSS] has had amazing growth. It’s always nice to see new people come in and stay because you’re creating that environment. So it’s really good for our hearts too.”
To achieve more meaningful interactions with their group, the CDSS has focused on how their
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
membership best communicates and what they can benefit from learning.
“Those in clinical and diagnostic sciences, they’re there because they want to make a difference in the healthcare field, but they’re introverted, they don’t want that patient contact — at least from the people that I’ve met and talked to,” Swartz said. “ We have professors that work with us, they’ll come in and speak. We also bring in professionals from the field for specific events and talks, just to give students who don’t know what’s out there yet and give them a perspective on the world around them.”
Catering to a group of students studying a major with so many specializations — Pre-Clinical Sciences, Radiologic Technology and Nuclear Medicine Technology among them — has allowed the CDSS to diversify its events, Ishioka explained.
“Clinical and diagnostic science is a major that has a bunch of sub-specializations under it, so myself, my specialization is Medical Laboratory Science,” Ishioka said. “A lot of people in our club are Pre-Physician Assistants… so we try to do activities that are going to highlight different aspects of the major.”
Next month, around a dozen of the CDSS members will be going to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (ASCLS) annual conference in Grand Rapids. The regional meeting will bring together laboratory professionals, vendors, educators and students to network and see groundbreaking technology. For more CDSS events, please visit the Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences Society’s GrizzOrgs or @ou.cdss on Instagram.
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Fourth snow day of the semester sparks mixed reactions among students
DANIELA CESARIO Features Reporter
For the fourth time this semester, students at Oakland University woke up to an unexpected snow day, as another winter storm forced campus-wide closures. With another round of heavy snowfall hitting this past weekend, the college issued a snow advisory requiring all vehicles to be parked in designated areas or under covered structures. While some students welcomed the extra time off, others are growing frustrated with the repeated disruptions to their schedules.
“I love snow days, but seeing as midterms are next week and a lot of my professors are behind, I wish Michigan’s weather would cooperate for just a few more weeks,” sophomore Allie Michewicz said. “It’s nice to have a break, but I also feel like it’s messing with my routine and classes, especially since some professors still pile on work.”
The new advisory, put in place ahead of Saturday, Feb. 16’s storm, aimed at preventing vehicles from being buried under the anticipated snowfall. Campus officials urged students to move their cars before conditions worsen, warning that failure to comply could result in towing or fines. The advisory came as part of broader efforts to keep campus safe amid what has become one of the snowiest semesters.
“I received the email and immediately went to move
my car due to the traffic,” freshman Heather Czekai said. “I get why they’re doing it, but it’s just one more thing to worry about when we’re already dealing with so much snow.”
While snow days often bring excitement, many students are beginning to feel the impact of the several cancellations. The unpredictability of the weather has made it difficult for students to establish a consistent routine.
“I feel like I haven’t had a full week of classes since the semester started,” Czekai said. “At first, the snow days were fun, but now I just want things to go back to normal.”
Campus services are also adjusting to the frequent storms, ensuring that essential facilities like dining halls and residence life remain operational. Additional maintenance crews have been working around the clock to clear sidewalks, salt roads and keep paths safe for students who still need to navigate campus. However, the ongoing snowfall has made it difficult to keep up with the demand.
“The sidewalks are getting cleared, but they’re icy again within hours,” Michewicz said. “I nearly slipped twice just walking to the dining hall yesterday.”
Local meteorologists predicted that the storm could bring an additional two to three inches of snow, with high winds creating whiteout conditions. Many reconsidered their Valentine’s weekend plans as road conditions dwindled.
“I was planning to go home this weekend, but now I don’t think I’ll risk it,” Czekai said. “The roads have been so bad lately, and I’d rather just stay safe on campus.”
As more snowstorms loom, students are bracing for what could be yet another disruption in an already unpredictable semester. Whether the snow days are a welcome break or an inconvenience, the recordbreaking winter has left its mark on campus life. Now, the only question is, how much more snow can the semester handle?
PHOTO BY MATTHEW VIGELIUS
The Oakland Chorale prepares for their European Tour
SOPHIA CURRAN
Features Reporter
The Oakland Chorale, Oakland University’s most prestigious chorus ensemble, held one of many fundraisers this past week in the Oakland Center to raise money for their tour across Europe this upcoming summer.
The Oakland Chorale has been holding fundraisers these past few months to fund their own tour across Europe. The tour will run from June 23 to July 2. The group will be visiting historically-rich cities that span four countries. In addition to visiting these cities, they will be performing in ancient cathedrals to local choir enjoyers.
Chorale-member, Ava Hayes, is a senior that is majoring in vocal music education. She decided to join the club due to its advanced and diverse collection of music. They cover music from varying genres and cultures, and even perform songs written by their director, Dr. Michael Mitchell.
When asked what her favorite piece to perform was, Hayes was expressive in her admiration of composer and arranger, Stacey Gibbs.
“He is my favorite composer and he does a lot of spiritual songs,” Hayes said. “This semester, we are doing a song called ‘Daniel, Servant of the Lord.’ We’re taking it to Europe over the summer. It’s my favorite song. It’s powerful and ethereal.”
Members of the Chorale will be visiting and
performing in historical sites. For the last stop of their tour in Vienna, they will be singing in the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which is nearly 500 years old.
“Throughout my degree, I’ve been learning about all of these really old, famous composers and where they lived and what their life was like,” Hayes said. “Now we’re actually going to the places where they lived and where they wrote music and performed, it’s surreal.”
To prepare for the European tour, the chorale meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and will be scheduling summer rehearsals in addition to
the weekly practices. As president of the student organization, Kendal Lavigne spends much of her time organizing and getting the Oakland Chorale prepared for the trip.
“I do a lot of behind the scenes,” Lavigne said. “I make budget requests so we can get stuff like equipment and uniforms, and I’ve gone to meetings with Dr. Mitchell to represent the choir and advocate when they’re not there. I also helped organize a committee to do fundraising with Dr. Mitchell.”
Consisting of Hayes, Lavigne and other members of the ensemble, they composed a committee in order to help raise funds for their tour across Europe. The trip in total costs around $160k, nearing $4k for each member of the 39-person ensemble.
However, after nearly six months of fundraising, the time is nearly coming to an end. Lavigne expressed how she felt seeing it coming all together and what it means to see her choir come together.
“I feel a lot of pride for my choir. We are such a good ensemble full of so many smart and talented musicians. Getting to say that I’m the president, it’s such an honor,” Lavigne said.
More information about the organization and their tour can be found on their Instagram account @ oaklandchorale, or on their fundraising page, where they are still taking donations.
2025 Keeper of the Dream Award recipient: Thy Hoang
NOAH FRANCIS
Features Editor
The Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award recognizes outstanding students who understand and embody Martin Luther King Jr’s message on interracial understanding. While she often saw past recipients as superheroes for the work they’ve accomplished, Thy Hoang, a junior double majoring in clinical diagnostic sciences and studio art, climbed to the same rank as her student role models.
For Hoang, the making of a good recipient is someone who not only understands Dr. King’s message, but believes and applies it to the work they do.
“Anyone who wants to apply or who thinks that they’re qualified must truly believe in his message and what they themselves are doing to make America a better place,” Hoang said. “You can’t just talk the talk. You have to walk the walk.”
Despite being in multiple other competitions in the past for art contests and galleries, Hoang was thrown off by the application process for the scholarship.
“This scholarship completely threw me because it was just so honest,” Hoang said. “If I’m talking about applying my art to a gallery or a contest, then the spotlight is kind of off me, and I can just
talk about my art and really sell my art in that way. With the scholarship, I was selling myself as a person.”
The Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI) and the Career and Life Design Center were some of Hoang’s biggest supporters on her journey, helping her with revisions on her personal statement, and even writing letters of recommendation for her. Once Hoang found out she won, the people at the Career and Life Design Center were the first to celebrate with her.
“To find out if I won the scholarship, I had to go down to the CMI and pick up a letter,” Hoang said. “I clearly thought that it was just going to be a rejection, so I opened it outside of the office, and I instantly started crying because I found out that I won it. I was walking, and I had to walk past the Career and Life Design Center, so I decided to stop in there, and I saw one of the people who helped me with my personal statement, and I saw my letter of recommendation person, and I was still crying. They just hugged me, and said they were proud of me.”
After finishing her bachelor’s degree, Hoang plans on balancing both sides of her degrees, being a clinician and being an artist, with the hopes of one day merging them, and becoming a medical illustrator, a profession consisting of roughly 2,000 people in the world.
“Being a Keeper of the Dream isn’t something that just lasts for just your college years or just for the year that you want it. It is something that you carry on with you in the future,” Hoang said. “I’m so proud to represent Asian-American women, people whose families came here for a better life, because that’s truly what Dr. King was speaking about.”
Students interested in the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award can visit the Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI) webpage for information on past recipients and how to apply.
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Students react to Role Model releasing deluxe edition of ‘Kansas Anymore’
DANIELA CESARIO Features Reporter
Role Model, the indie pop artist known for his introspective lyrics and folk-tinged sound, released the deluxe edition of his critically acclaimed album “Kansas Anymore” on Feb. 14. Originally released in July 2024, the album explores themes of homesickness and personal growth, offering a window into the artist’s emotional journey. The deluxe version builds on the original with new tracks, expanding the narrative Role Model first began telling through his music.
“I love how much more personal the deluxe edition feels,” freshman Farah Alhasan said. “The extra songs bring out even deeper emotions, and it feels like Role Model is sharing more of himself with us. I have been a longtime fan of his, so I was really excited for this release.”
The original “Kansas Anymore” consists of 13 tracks, including fan favorites such as “Look At That Woman” and “Deeply Still in Love.” These songs showcase a blend of folk elements with indie pop, all driven by deeply personal and reflective lyrics. The original release captivated fans with its raw vulnerability, but the deluxe edition pushes the boundaries even further, offering fresh insights into the artist’s journey.
“His lyrics have always hit home for me,” sophomore Lana Gamoura said. “But with the deluxe version, it feels like he’s taken everything to the next level. I’m
excited to see what he will release next.”
The deluxe edition of “Kansas Anymore” offers new material that expands on the themes and ideas explored in the original release. For fans of the artist, this deluxe edition is a treat, offering both a chance to relive the magic of the original album and to experience the new music that complements the existing tracks.
“I’ve been a fan of Role Model for a while now, but I wasn’t expecting this deluxe edition to have so much extra heart,” Alhasan said. “The new tracks really add to the experience and make it even more emotional. It feels like he’s speaking directly to his listeners. A few of the tracks went viral before he even released the extended version.”
In addition to physical releases, the deluxe edition of “Kansas Anymore” is now available for streaming on major platforms. This allows listeners to explore both the original album and the additional tracks, further immersing themselves in Role Model’s musical world. The extended version is expected to draw even more attention, with fans already praising the emotional depth and sonic evolution present throughout the record.
“I think this deluxe edition is going to resonate with even more people,” Gamoura said. “The original album was really heartfelt, but now you get to see another side of it. The new songs complement the originals perfectly, adding another layer.”
The deluxe edition of Role Model’s “Kansas Anymore” demonstrates his artistic growth, offering a more immersive experience for listeners. With the
addition of these new tracks, Role Model further solidifies his place in the indie pop scene. Fans are eager to see what’s next as Role Model continues to push boundaries with his music and storytelling. As “Kansas Anymore“ continues to make waves, it’s clear that Role Model is here to stay.
Story by Mallory Waligora
Design by Megan Judy, August Wicker and Ava Guest
Photos courtesy of Flickr
Four great underground rap albums out right now
CHELSEA BOSSERT Arts Editor
With most of the hip-hop world’s mind still on the Kendrick and Drake beef, a number of rap releases in these early January-February months are getting overlooked. There are many hip-hop projects releasing soon that will garner mainstream attention.
So, Super Bowl performance aside, new Drake record aside, mainstream hip-hop aside — here are four great underground rap albums out right now.
“Sorry I Been Ballin” — Rx Papi
Starting off with Rx Papi’s “Sorry I Been Ballin,” the Bronx-rapper ventures into new territories that even he has not fully crossed into yet. This east-coast trap-plugg project mixes witty and selfreferential lyricism, as well as anxiety-inducing, chilling production.
The third track, “One Foot In Pt. 2,” incorporates all of these elements and more. The haunting production acts as a backdrop to Papi’s boastful yet disturbing lyrics. While impressively well conceptualized, the project just takes off from there.
“Fay Da 5th,” “Narcissistic Narcotic Abuser” and “No Voodoo To Bring Da Dead Bacc” are my favorite tracks on “Sorry I Been Ballin.” All of these tracks seem like they are more of the same, however, that may be the point. Each performance from Papi, each of the track’s production and atmosphere make you feel the everlasting dread and weight that Papi feels.
“Jump Out” — OasamaSon “Jump Out” by OsamaSon seems like just your
basic, annoyingly high-pitched, overly excited rage rap record … and you would be partially right.
Walking in the footsteps of Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, Ken Carson and Yeat, OsamaSon’s newest folly is an album basking in its influence fully. Mixing in elements of rage, trap, plugg, digicore and tread music, “Jump Out” may seem too large and bloated of a record to succeed. Despite this, I can say that OsamaSon’s third record is his best yet.
“Jump Out” is a maximalist outing akin to the most lavish and decadent hip-hop records of the 2010s — just in a different way. “Break Da News,” “Made Sum Plans” and “Frontin” are some of the best rages he has to offer.
Yes, it is overly high-energy. Yes, it is biting a lot of flows from rage-pioneers like Carti. And yes, it is very, very niche. However, I think “Jump Out” has a lot to offer for fans of this subgenre.
This record is perfect for mosh-pit enthusiasts, drivers who love to blow out their car-speakers or just your acreage fan. Give “Jump Out” a chance and you may find yourself smiling — just a bit.
“Leaving Home” — FearDorian
Fear Dorian is in the same cloudy, low-end, sample-filled rap camp that artists like Polo Perks is in. But unlike Polo, Dorian fields this lo-fi atmosphere in both the production on the record and the vocal work.
Dorian uses the lo-fi production and simple beats to his advantage. Tracks like “Forecasting” and “Las Vegas” rely on unique vocal and guitar samples to lay out a groundwork for Dorian’s jerky flows and on-the-nose lyrics.
The features on this project are not only well done, but they also complement the album perfectly. The aforementioned Polo Perks is on “Floor Tom,” digicore artist Quinn is on “Las Vegas” and of the members of now defunct experimental hip-hop group Injury Reserve — RiTchie — is on “Not Just Yet.”
“Leaving Home” is definitely one of the most unique rap projects I have heard in a long time, and a breath of fresh air.
“Dear Psilocybin” — Zelooperz
A dreamy yet dreary project, “Dear Psilocybin” by Detroit underground rap veteran Zelooperz is a real treat. At many points on this short-but-sweet record, Zelooperz conveys a druggy and slurred inflection.
The mood on this project is immaculate and he really sells a faded feeling on this album. At some points on “Dear Psilocybin,” Zelooperz uses multiple voices: some high-pitched and manic, as well as low-pitched and dopey. Songs like “Explain it Scientifically” and “Sweet Celine” explain these feelings perfectly.
This album is not just one note though, the Boldy James assisted “Hansel & Gretel” is the closest we get to a hardcore hip-hop track on here. The screeching, staccato piano chords really lend to a tense atmosphere.
“Dear Psilocybin” is one of those albums that leaves you wanting more. The abstract, drumless beats by Real Bad Man and the intriguing vocal performance by Zelooperz is a match made in heaven.
JD Vance delivers speech at the Munich Security Conference
MEGHAN BAREIS Distributor
On Feb. 15, Vice President JD Vance spoke at the Munich Security Conference, sharply attacking European leaders for their supposed actions that Vance says undermine security, democracy and free speech. He spoke in front of a European audience eager for reassurance and cooperation on diplomatic matters like the Ukrainian War.
Vance expressed his deep contention regarding Europe’s censorship of conservative and right-wing beliefs. During his speech, Vance drew from various
European countries as examples of restricting rightwing political demonstrations.
“A little over two years ago, the British government charged Adam Smith Conner, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and an Army veteran, with the heinous crime of standing 50 meters from an abortion clinic and silently praying for three minutes, not obstructing anyone, not interacting with anyone, just silently praying on his own,” Vance said.
In the UK, Scotland has put Buffer Zones in place through The Safe Access Zones Act, making it a criminal offense to pray or try and influence the decisions of clinic patients within 200 meters of an abortion facility.
Additionally, Vance criticized Sweden for prosecuting Salwan Najem — a Swedish citizen who was connected to 4 incidents of Quran burnings.
“I look to Sweden, where two weeks ago, the government convicted a Christian activist for participating in Quran burnings that resulted in his friend’s murder,” Vance said.
The judge in his case highlighted that “there is a great deal of scope within the framework of freedom of expression to be critical of a religion in a factual and valid debate,” yet freedom of expression did not permit a “free pass to do or say anything”.
Vance continued his disapproval of Europe’s actions by comparing them to the apparent freedom of speech in America while criticizing the former Biden administration.
“Just as the Biden administration seemed desperate to silence people for speaking their minds, so the Trump administration will do precisely the opposite, and I hope that we can work together on that,” Vance said.
Michigan’s 2026 race for US Senate
MEGHAN BAREIS Distributor
On Jan. 28, current Michigan U.S. Senator Gary Peters announced that he will not be running for reelection in 2026.
Currently, Peters serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in the U.S. Senate.
Peters has had a long and fulfilling career in politics, priding himself in fighting for the protection of Michigan families.
“I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation,” Peters said.
Peters then expressed his sense of accomplishment for his work but also emphasized the need for him to step back from politics.
“I think this is pretty normal for everybody to say, I’ve done a job, and I’m proud of the job I did, but there are other things I want to do in my life. There are other ways that I can give back to the community,” Peters reflected.
With Republicans holding the majority of the Senate 53-47, both parties have expressed their interest in claiming Peters’s position as Michigan Senator.
While not officially confirmed, there has been growing speculation about potential candidates for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat in 2026.
A few Democratic candidates have publicly expressed interest, including former Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow.
While considering a run for Governor, former Transportation Secretary Buttigieg appears to be “taking a serious look” at running for Michigan’s Senate seat.
Democrat Haley Stevens, who has represented Oakland County since 2019 in Michigan District 11, has also been eyeing the opening. Stevens is known as a centrist Congresswoman and has gauged many Michiganders’ attention.
Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow also has intentions of running. McMorrow has gained influence from her feisty floor speech in 2022 reprimanding a Republican lawmaker that accused her of grooming children in her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.
Additional Democrats have expressed interest in the race, including state Senator Sarah Anthony, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayid.
On the Republican side, Mike Rogers and Tudor Dixon have made it known of their inclination to run.
Mike Rogers, who received an endorsement from current President Trump, was unsuccessful in the extremely tight 2024 Senate race. Receiving various requests to run again after Peters announced
Furthermore, he added, “Under Donald Trump’s leadership, we may disagree with your views, but we will fight to defend your right to offer them in the public square.”
Vance covered other European policies including issues of immigration and compromising national security in favor of globalist policies.
Varied responses emerged after hearing Vance’s controversial words. Elon Musk expressed his excitement and support for Vance with a post on X. “Make Europe Great Again! MEGA, MEGA, MEGA,” Musk wrote.
Many European politicians decried the claims made by Vance.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, reflected, “Listening to that speech, they try to pick a fight with us and we don’t want to a pick a fight with our friends.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly rejected Vance’s sentiments. Talking to the press, Scholz mentioned that Vance’s recent attendance at a concentration camp in Dachau, where the voiced a strong attitude of “never again,” was full of irony.
Scholz continued that the concept of “never again” should apply to far-right political parties — like Germany’s populist Alternative for Germany Party (AfD). The German Judiciary has classified AfD as an extremist political party.
AfD has been endorsed by President Trump and Elon Musk, but has been equally rejected by other politicians.
In all, Vance’s controversial speech at the Security Conference has grasped the attention of many countries.
his plans, Rogers expressed his plans on X.
“That’s why Kristi and I are strongly considering joining the fight once again — to be the ally that President Trump needs and the leader that Michigan deserves. Good news is coming soon,” Rogers said.
Tudor Dixon, a Conservative media figure and 2022 Gubernatorial candidate who was defeated by current governor Gretchen Whitmer, has also shown interest in vying for the Senate seat.
“This is an opportunity for a strong America First candidate who is going to help President Trump secure the border, bring down prices, and restore American manufacturing. I appreciate the outpouring of support and am considering our future very seriously,” Dixon said in a post on X.
Rep. John James, a GOP candidate who has previously run twice for US Senate, might run again. James is quite favorable amongst many Republican voters in Michigan. In a recent MIGOV poll, James garnered almost half of the votes for the GOP Primary for Governor.
Although he hasn’t publicly voiced his interest, James is one to look out for as candidates officially announce their intentions in the upcoming months.
Even though the election isn’t until November 2026, candidates are expected to launch their campaigns in the coming months and start connecting with voters to build support.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW YORK POST
Michigan universities and hospitals threatened to lose hundreds of millions in research funding
MALLORY WALIGORA Political Editor
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has sued the Trump administration over a policy that would cause major universities and hospitals in Michigan to lose more than $300 million in research funding.
President Donald Trump’s new administrative policy would cause the National Institutes of Health to limit funding granted by the federal government. Hospitals, as well as major universities across the country, will have major budget costs towards clinical research on major diseases such as cancer, genetics and infectious diseases.
As a response to the budget cuts, Attorney Generals from different states across the country, including Michigan, have come prepared with lawsuits in response to their alleged unlawful actions.
On Feb. 7, the National Institutes of Health sent out a statement on X, stating their reason for the decision.
“Last year, $9B of the $35B that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) granted for research was used for administrative overhead, what is known as ‘indirect costs.’ Today, NIH lowered the maximum indirect cost rate research institutions can charge the government to 15%, above what many major foundations allow and much lower than the 60%+ that some institutions charge the government today. This change will save more than $4B a year effective immediately,” the National Institutes of Health said.
Indirect costs help cover laboratories, utilities and support staff — things that are often not considered when gaining direct funding through grants. The new 15% ceiling imposed on direct research costs would cause universities such as the University of Michigan to lose more than $200 million in grants. Oakland University received nearly $5 million in grants in 2024. However, OU could now be expected to lose $720k if the budget cuts go into effect.
However, some praised the NIH for their decision to cut excessive funding.
“Indirect costs can lack transparency, acting as a
‘black box,’ but they do support vital infrastructure and key functions critical to scientific process,” Dr. Nicholas S. Piuzzi said in response to the NIH post. “I agree with the decision to cap rates at 15%, but it’s crucial to balance accountability with the real needs of research funding. If done right, this could spark innovation without slowing progress.”
On Feb. 10, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with 22 other attorney generals, sued the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the National Institutes of Health for their act of cutting funds that would support medical research in universities and hospitals across the country. Nessel released a video to the citizens of Michigan expressing her decision to lead the lawsuit.
“This funding supports life-saving research, on research on all kinds of life-threatening public health diseases, viruses and conditions. And these dangerous proposed cuts are indiscriminate and without purpose,” Nessel said. “The federal government has an obligation to stop breaking their promises made to the American people, which is exactly what has happened here.”
A federal judge has put a halt to the policy and has allowed the Attorney Generals to present their arguments for enacting the budget on Feb. 21. Many universities and hospitals across the nation must now plan their next steps for the financial losses in much of their medical research.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MSU RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Letter to the Editor: DEI is more than just an acronym.
MARCUS JOHNSON Contributor
As a Black man and a student leader at Oakland University, I am deeply disturbed by the ongoing demonization of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices by certain factions within the federal government. Condensing diversity, equity, and inclusion into an acronym diminishes what DEI represents and facilitates its demonization. Instead of fostering an environment of belonging and opportunity for everyone, these actions undermine the principles that guarantee equal access to education, resources, and opportunities for marginalized communities. Oakland University has long championed DEI as a core value, and as Speaker of the Legislature for the University Student Congress, I want to emphasize that we will not stand idly by while these attacks threaten our progress. Our commitment to diversity is not just a slogan—it is a promise to every student that they belong here, that their voices matter, and that our institution will continue to create pathways for success, regardless of background
At Oakland University, DEI is not merely a set of ideals but a lived commitment, embodied through various dedicated offices and initiatives:
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: This office leads our university’s efforts to create and support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all community members.
Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI): Established in 1993, CMI supports the success of underrepresented students and fosters an appreciation for campus-wide diversity. Programs like the Oakland University Trustee Academic Success (OUTAS) and the Collective Oakland Retention and Engagement (CORE) are pivotal in promoting academic excellence and social engagement among our diverse student body.
Gender and Sexuality Center: This center offers resources, support, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ students, promoting a safe and inclusive environment where all gender and sexual identities are respected and celebrated.
Disability Support Services: Committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities, this office provides accommodations and support services tailored to individual needs.
Academic Success Center: Offering free services such as tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, and academic support appointments, the center empowers
students to become independent learners and achieve their academic goals.
Veteran Support Services : Dedicated to assisting veterans and their families, this office provides resources and support to help them transition into academic life and succeed in their educational pursuits.
These offices play a crucial role in ensuring that all students regardless of race, gender, sexuality, ability, or socioeconomic background have access to the resources they need to thrive. The federal government’s attack on DEI threatens the existence and effectiveness of these initiatives, which could have devastating consequences for Oakland University students. Without strong DEI programs, students from marginalized backgrounds may struggle to find the support they need to navigate college, leading to increased disparities in academic success, retention, and graduation rates. We must recognize how these policies are not just abstract political debates; they have real, tangible effects on the lives and futures of students right here at OU.
We acknowledge and appreciate that President Pescovitz has established a strategic response team to evaluate the impact of these executive orders. As the elected representatives of the student body, we in the Student Congress would welcome the
opportunity to engage with this team to discuss the potential effects these policies will have on students. Student voices must be included in these discussions so that we can fully understand the challenges ahead and advocate effectively for the needs of our peers. Furthermore, during the recent Keeper of the Dream celebration, President Pescovitz publicly reinforced the university’s unwavering commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This affirmation is not only encouraging but also a call to action for all members of the OU community to continue advocating for these values.
We cannot afford to be passive at this moment. We must take a firm stand supporting DEI initiatives, ensuring that Oakland University remains a place where every student feels valued, included, and empowered to succeed. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is not up for debate it is a necessity. Student Congress will work diligently with university leadership, faculty, and student organizations to ensure that these essential offices continue to serve our community, regardless of external political pressures.
The Post predicts how Oakland men’s basketball team will finish the season
KURT SZYMANSKI AND EVAN BLANCHARD
Kurt: Oakland finishes fifth in the Horizon League with a 12-8 conference record.
Following their most recent win over the Detroit Mercy Titans, which shifts the Oakland men’s basketball team’s conference record to 9-7, the Golden Grizzlies have four conference games remaining this season: at Purdue Fort Wayne vs. Cleveland State at Milwaukee at Green Bay
I think the Golden Grizzlies will go 3-1 through this four-game stretch, with wins coming at home against Cleveland State and on the road over Milwaukee and Green Bay.
Oakland dealt Purdue Fort Wayne a loss that snapped a four-game win streak they had built in January, but Oakland won the game on their home floor, 76-72.
Considering how this season has turned out, it’s undoubtedly a big win. Still, it’s hard seeing the Golden Grizzlies take the season sweep over a team that’s essentially a top-four lock in the Horizon League standings, especially with the next match being on the road for Oakland.
As of late, Cleveland State has been inconsistent for being the first team in the Horizon League standings.
Remarkably, the Vikings have lost three of their last four games.
Although the Vikings handed Oakland a loss earlier in the season, the loss comes with an asterisk mark. Cleveland State shot nearly 50% from the field and three against the Golden Grizzlies. I don’t see that happening again, and I see Oakland winning their final home game of the season.
Next is the Milwaukee Panthers, a neck-and-neck team with the Golden Grizzlies in the standings. Considering Oakland picked up a win earlier in the season against them amidst their shooting struggles, a season sweep isn’t out of the question.
That leaves Green Bay, who recently picked up their first conference win of the season on Sunday. It’s a good morale booster for a team that’s had a tough season, but I don’t see the Phoenix beating the Golden Grizzlies in the season’s final game.
Evan: Oakland finishes sixth in the Horizon League with an 11-9 conference record.
Do I disagree with Kurt’s points? No, I don’t at all. Cleveland State is on a bit of a rough patch, and they’ll have to travel to the O’Rena to play. Yes, Green Bay is terrible (and I mean terrible).
But beating Milwaukee (fourth in the conference) after we dominated them at home? I can’t see it happening. Just like Kurt said, it’s hard to beat a good team twice, especially when you have to go play at their place. That Milwaukee and Green Bay road trip
is no joke, involving a flight across Lake Michigan and dealing with the arctic freeze of Wisconsin. Not to mention coming off games against Purdue Fort Wayne and Cleveland State? It’s a tall task.
I agree with Kurt on losing at Purdue Fort Wayne. The Mastodons have junior Eric Mulder back in the fold for round two against the Golden Grizzlies, someone whose interior presence they greatly missed the first time around. The 6’8” big man has dealt with injuries this season but is averaging 9.3 points with 6.9 boards on 76.2% field goal shooting. He is a big difference-maker.
Even beating Cleveland State will be a tall task. Sure, they’ve lost three of their last four, but this Vikings team has dominated the conference up to this point. Every team has rough patches, but you better believe that that team is coming into the O’Rena with a vengeance. The Golden Grizzlies knocked off the Vikings last year in the Horizon League semifinals, and if their first meeting this year was any proof, a 92-75 blowout of the Golden Grizzlies, Cleveland State is still pissed about it.
The fan in me says 4-0, the realist in me says 2-2, and the pessimist in me says 1-3. It’s a brutal way to end your season, Green Bay excluded, and with the inconsistency that OU has played with, I would not be surprised with a 2-2 finish.
Oakland men’s baseball kicks off season against Jacksonville State
EVAN BLANCHARD
Sports Reporter
Believe it or not, the college baseball season has begun. Yes, the snow drifts may be waist-high in Rochester, Michigan, and yes, the temperatures might be struggling to top 25 degrees.
But America’s past time is back and in full swing. To start the 2025 campaign, the Oakland men’s baseball team traveled to Jacksonville, Alabama, to take on the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks.
The series began last Friday, Feb. 14, with a doubleheader on Valentine’s Day. Lefty senior Hunter Pidek earned the first start of the season, but he faced a tumultuous beginning to his final season wearing black and gold. Pidek let up five runs in the first two innings and greatly struggled with his control early in the game. He walked two batters and hit another four in the first two frames.
OU wouldn’t get on the board until the fifth inning when right fielder Aidan Orr roped a double to right field to drive in designated hitter Ben Clark. Junior Cecil Barone would be the first out of the bullpen for the Golden Grizzlies, relieving Pidek after five innings of work. He would also struggle against the Gamecocks, allowing three runs between the fifth and sixth innings. Finally, late in the game, Oakland was able to tack on some runs. Sophomore center fielder Trent Rice tripled with two men on to bring the score closer at 3-9. Catcher Matthew McGann finished the Golden Grizzlies’ scoring for the first game with a two-RBI single. Oakland would lose their season-opener 5-9.
Just a few hours later, the two teams took to the diamond again, this time with freshman Grant Garman starting on the mound. The Golden Grizzlies would strike first blood this time around; with two men out, shortstop Brandon Nigh drew a walk, followed by first baseman Lucas Day’s RBI double.
JSU would answer in the second inning to tie the game, but Day was just beginning his day. In his next at-bat in the fourth inning, the redshirt sophomore cranked a home run on a 3-0 pitch, giving Oakland their first lead of the series. OU would add on two more runs in the inning as Clark again made his presence felt. The catcher hit a single for the scorebook but came all the way home on an error by the Gamecocks.
Later on in the sixth inning, designated hitter Jack Lux connected with a pitch to send it deep over the fence, giving Oakland their second homer of the evening. It was a terrific day for the redshirt junior, who finished his day with a home run, two walks and two RBIs.
The Gamecocks managed to get two runs in the sixth to make it a 6-3 ball game, but the Golden Grizzlies erupted in the seventh inning for five more runs. The scoring came on a string of errors from the Jacksonville State defense, as they let up three unearned runs and a score off a wild pitch.
Orr and Day both finished with two RBIs to go along with Lux’s two as Oakland finished off an 11-4 victory. Freshman pitcher Garman Grant also had a terrific first start, wrapping up his day with five innings pitched, four hits, one run allowed, six strikeouts and three walks.
Unfortunately, Oakland’s bats were nowhere to be
found for the series’ final two games. The very next day, OU was shut out 0-12. They managed seven hits and three walks sprinkled across nine innings but couldn’t string together any successful at-bats. Rice and McGann each had a pair of hits for the Golden Grizzlies.
Freshmen starter Brody Fahnestock got roughed up in his first career start as a Golden Grizzly. He surrendered five runs and five hits in only 3.1 innings, but the bullpen didn’t fare much better. The only pitcher who didn’t allow a run was redshirt sophomore Ryan Donley, who pitched one clean inning.
In the final game of the series, OU put up a much better fight, at least until the halfway point in the game. Starting pitcher Tanner Ware got through his first four innings with no runs before the Gamecocks got to him in the fifth for two runs (one unearned). He did walk five batters, but the damage was minimal.
If the Golden Grizzlies could’ve hung some runs up on the board, it wouldn’t have been that big of a deal, but the Oakland bats were again silent all game. Left fielder John Lauinger was the lone bright spot on the team. He finished with three singles in his four at-bats. However, no one else could manage to manufacture any sort of momentum.
The bullpen would surrender four more runs as JSU’s Drew Collins wreaked havoc. The left fielder for the Gamecocks finished with three hits and two RBIs, going 6-14 with three walks in the series. Props is due to Jacksonville State’s pitching staff, as well. They kept OU off the board in two straight games, no small feat. The final score stood at 0-6 JSU.
(Continue reading on our website).
Oakland women’s basketball losing skid continues with loss to Milwaukee
KURT SZYMANSKI Sports Editor
In a matchup against the bottom-ranked Milwaukee Panthers at the OU Credit Union O’Rena on Saturday, the Oakland women’s basketball couldn’t capitalize, losing to the Panthers 61-49.
The loss comes off the heels of Oakland’s loss to the Green Bay Phoenix earlier in the week, where the Golden Grizzlies fell 75-39 in a game where Green Bay had control from the starting tip.
Macy Smith led the Golden Grizzlies in scoring, notching 18 points, with nine coming from beyond the arc. Maddy Skorupski was the only other Oakland player to reach double-figures in scoring, as Skorupski finished the game with 11 points, seven boards, three assists and three steals.
On the other side of the court, Kallie Peppler led Milwaukee in scoring, putting up 12 points off the bench. Jada Donaldson also had a solid showing for the Panthers, notching nine points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Panthers jumped ahead of the Golden Grizzlies early in the first quarter, quickly establishing a 10-4 lead. Despite this, Smith responded, converting on two straight three-pointers to tie the game midway through the first.
With the game tied, Peppler delivered a pair of threepointers of her own as the quarter began to come to a close. However, on Oakland’s final possession of the frame, Skorupski sank a jumper, leaving the Golden
Grizzlies just behind the Panthers, 18-14.
As the second quarter got underway, offensive issues started to mount for the Golden Grizzlies. Through the first five minutes of the quarter, Jasmine Dupree-Hebert was the only Oakland player to score a bucket as the Panthers’ lead grew to an eleven-point advantage.
The Golden Grizzlies showed some fight in them down the stretch, as a free throw from Leah Bullard narrowed the Oakland deficit to seven points. However, Milwaukee scored on all four of its possessions in the final two minutes of the quarter, giving the Panthers a 38-23 lead heading into the break.
The third quarter was surely one the Golden Grizzlies
wished they could have gotten back. Throughout the quarter, the Golden Grizzly defense had five steals, as Oakland held the Panthers to just seven points. Despite Oakland’s stifling defense, their inconsistency on offense carried over from the second. In a quarter where the team could have turned things around, the offense supplied just nine points the entire quarter, as Milwaukee still led 45-32 heading into the fourth quarter. In the final quarter of play, the Golden Grizzlies showed some signs of life, cutting down the Panther lead to eight points with five minutes to go after a layup from Skorupski.
However, Milwaukee showed no signs of slowing down as they quickly took back a double-digit lead, and time started to become Oakland’s most valuable resource. Skorupski, once again, cut the Panther lead to single digits with two minutes remaining, but the Golden Grizzlies didn’t have enough time to capitalize down the stretch, resulting in the loss.
Notably, the loss marks Oakland’s fourth in a row and its seventh in its last eight games.
Oakland’s lack of efficiency really showed up from the box score. The team shot 31.6% from the field, 20% from deep, and 58.8% from the free throw line. In comparison, the Panthers shot 44% from the floor, 30% from three and 84.6% at the charity stripe.
Up next, the Golden Grizzlies will have a chance to get back in the win column with a game on the road against the Wright State Raiders on Wednesday, Feb. 19. With Oakland still in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Horizon League, the game against the Raiders will be a must-win at this stage of the season.
Oakland men’s basketball gets back in the win column behind career high Mashhour
EVAN BLANCHARD
Sports Reporter
Last Wednesday, Feb. 12, the OU men’s basketball team traveled to Indianapolis to take on the IU Indy Jaguars. Formerly IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis), the Jaguars have struggled through the season, sitting in second-to-last place in conference play at 4-12. The matchup offered a great opportunity for Oakland to snap their two-game losing streak. And snap it, they did.
The Golden Grizzlies defeated the Jaguars 82-67, topping 80 points just the second time this season. It was a perfect, dominant win for a group that badly needed to right the ship for the home stretch. Regarding the beginnings of games, this one had some fireworks. The first five field goals of the contest were three-pointers, promising an exciting night of shooting ahead. IU Indy struck first blood with a three from Jarvis Walker, followed by two free throws from Walker. Both teams traded threepointers on the ensuing four possessions. Finally, at the 16:50 mark, Isaiah Jones hit the game’s first two-point field goal, a layup that brought Oakland down 8-11. Just before
the under-16-timeout, Jayson Woodrich hit his second three of the day, quickly followed by yet another Jaguar three. After just four minutes, the score stood at 14-11 IU Indy.
Keeping with the theme, both teams would exchange baskets again, this time IU Indy’s Alec Millender’s three-pointer being matched by freshman Nassim Mashhour’s three. Oakland still wanted to get the ball inside to their dominant big men, so they fed Allen Mukeba at the basket, resulting in two free throws. Walker got to the rim for a layup, keeping the Jaguars up three. Jones was again able to match with a layup of his own, bringing OU within a point at the under-12minute timeout.
It was time for Oakland to open up the game a bit. Coming out of the timeout, Malcolm Christie immediately hit a three, taking the lead for the first time in the game. His shot kicked off a 12-4 run in about four minutes, punctuated by back-toback threes from senior DQ Cole and Mashhour. A one-point game quickly turned into a sevenpoint Golden Grizzlies advantage.
OU saw an opportunity to blow the game open. They kept getting the ball to the hot hand of Mashhour, who hit two more threes, giving him four in the first half. The Jaguars
had a sharpshooter of their own; however, Paul Zilinskas couldn’t miss in the first half, either, as he hit a trio of three-pointers in the final seven minutes. It was largely due to him that IU Indy could keep the game within 10 points at halftime, down just 42-34.
In the second half, the Golden Grizzlies would have to take away the Jaguars’ outside shooting. They canned eight threes in the first half. Oakland one-upped them, hitting nine themselves, but the defense would have to do a better job getting out on the perimeter.
The second half finally saw some made twos, with Mashhour getting to the rim and Mukeba getting a bucket of his own. IU Indy’s Sean Craig stopped OU’s mini-run with an and-one layup, triggering an 8-0 run that trimmed the lead to four. Mashhour provided the lift again for the Grizzlies. After hitting a free throw from a technical foul on IU Indy’s coach, he would hit yet another three. Buru Naivalurua would slip free for an easy dunk, followed by another Jones layup, giving Oakland a comfortable 10-point lead at the under-12-timeout.
(Continue reading on our website).
PHOTO BY KATIE REID
Golden Grizzlies sweep Metro Series in dramatic fashion
KURT SZYMANSKI Sports Editor
The Oakland men’s basketball team squeaked by the Detroit Mercy Titans on Sunday, winning the game 9383 in overtime after a clutch play from Isaiah Jones and DQ Cole at the end of regulation.
Oakland’s win against their rivals is much needed at this point in the season. They now rank firmly in sixth place in the Horizon League, two games ahead of Northern Kentucky.
“I think what we witnessed today was the rebirth of this rivalry,” head coach Greg Kampe said. “I give them a ton of credit. They’ve decided this is a rivalry. I think we’re now 24-4 against them since we’ve joined the league, and I think they’re going to change that, or they’re going to try.”
Additionally, the win marks Kampe’s 131st conference win in the Horizon League, which ties the record for the most by a head coach. Ironically, the only other head coach with 131 conference wins in the league is former Detroit Mercy head coach Perry Watson.
Freshman Nassim Mashhour led the Golden Grizzlies in scoring, scoring a career-high 24 points while coming off the bench. Jaylen Jones also had a solid showing off the bench, putting up 16 points while dishing out three assists.
“I’m not the most athletic player so I have to be more crafty around the rim,” Mashhour said.
“Crafty?” Kampe replied.
“You don’t think I was crafty?” Mashhour followed up.
Oakland’s frontcourt duo of Allen Mukeba and Buru Naivalurua was also effective, with both players notching double-digit scoring efforts. Additionally, Mukeba finished the game with a double-double with the 10 boards he secured.
For the Titans, Orlando Lovejoy led the team in scoring with 20 points. Legend Geeter also had a strong game, putting up 15 points while snagging a team-high seven boards.
At the start of the game, Detroit Mercy established this would be a tough, physical game for the Golden Grizzlies, as Oakland was sent to the charity stripe numerous times in the game’s opening moments.
Although the Golden Grizzlies maintained a lead for most of the first, a three from Mak Manciel lifted the Titans to the lead with five minutes to go in the half.
Geeter made two consecutive three-pointers a few moments later, keeping the Titans ahead. However, a late layup from Cooper Craggs prevented the Titans from pulling ahead any further, as the Golden Grizzlies finished the first down 42-40.
At the start of the second, Detroit Mercy held its
lead, which at one point extended to eight points. However, Jaylen Jones turned the tides midway through the second with a layup. From there, it was back-and-forth basketball.
With the Titans in possession of the ball in the game’s closing minutes up three, Isaiah Jones picked Geeter’s pocket before dishing the ball to Cole on the fastbreak, who was at the three-point line—Cole’s three found nylon, sending the game to overtime.
In overtime, the Golden Grizzlies’ momentum from sending the game to overtime carried over, as Oakland opened the extra period on a 10-2 run. This left the Titans in the dust in overtime, giving the Golden Grizzlies their ninth conference win on the season.
From the box score, the number of opportunities Oakland got at the free-throw line certainly sticks out, with the Golden Grizzlies taking 52 free throws compared to the Titans’ 13. Notably, the 39 free throws Oakland sank in the game ties a program record for the most free throws made.
Up next, the Golden Grizzlies will travel to take on the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons on Friday, Feb. 21. Oakland picked up a win earlier in the season against the Mastodons, but Purdue Fort Wayne ranks just above the Golden Grizzlies in the Horizon League standings, making for a pivotal matchup.
