DETROIT (Interstat) — In a Horizon League men’s basketball game defined by offensive efficiency and a critical disparity in ball security, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies outlasted the Detroit Mercy Titans 95-87 on Saturday afternoon at Calihan Hall.

A crowd of 2,833 saw Oakland, the visiting team, improve to 12-10 overall, while Detroit fell to 8-12.

The game was a tale of two contrasting offensive approaches. Oakland operated with precision, committing only four turnovers while dishing out 18 assists. Detroit, conversely, was plagued by 11 turnovers and managed just two assists as a team. That 18-2 assist advantage for Oakland proved to be the foundational statistic of the contest, as the Golden Grizzlies turned those 11 Detroit miscues into 13 points, while the Titans failed to score a single point off Oakland turnovers.

The most important stretch of the game came early in the second half, with Oakland protecting a narrow 46-45 lead. The Golden Grizzlies opened the period with a decisive 9-2 run, fueled by interior play. Tuburu Naivalurua, the 6-foot-6 forward from Sydney, Australia, scored six points during the surge, including a hook shot and a tip-in, pushing the lead to 55-47. Detroit never recovered to tie or take the lead again, as Oakland’s disciplined offense consistently answered every Titan push.

Oakland’s offensive rating of 137.0 on 69 possessions underscored its effectiveness. The Golden Grizzlies shot 54.1% from the field and were relentless in the paint, outscoring Detroit 50-30 near the basket. They also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 22 of 26 attempts.

Detroit, despite the loss, found offensive production from its star. Legend Geeter, a 6-foot-8 junior from River Rouge, Michigan, led all scorers with 24 points, adding nine rebounds and four assists. Tyler Spratt of Farmington, Michigan, contributed 21 points and six rebounds for the Titans, who shot 50% from the field and made 11 three-pointers but were undone by their inability to generate easy baskets and protect the ball.

Oakland was led by a trio of high-scoring guards. Brody Robinson, a 5-foot-11 sophomore from Houston, Texas, orchestrated the victory with 24 points and 10 assists, securing a double-double. Ziare Wells, a 6-foot-6 guard from Queens, New York, matched Robinson’s 24 points, with many coming on decisive drives to the rim. Naivalurua finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, and Detroit native Michael Houge added 15 points and six rebounds for the Golden Grizzlies.

The first half was a tightly contested affair featuring 10 lead changes. Detroit’s TJ Nadeau of South Lyon, Michigan, hit three first-half three-pointers to keep the Titans close, and a late three-pointer by Geeter sent Detroit into halftime trailing by just a single point, 46-45.

The second half, however, belonged to Oakland’s control. After establishing their eight-point cushion early, the Golden Grizzlies maintained a lead between five and twelve points for the remainder of the game. Every time Detroit threatened to cut the deficit to one possession, Oakland responded, often with a basket from Robinson, Wells, or Naivalurua. A Wells layup with 3:55 remaining gave Oakland its largest lead at 82-71, effectively sealing the victory.

Detroit’s final opportunity came in the closing minute, down 91-87, but a missed three-pointer and subsequent offensive rebound putback by Ryan Kalambay of Brampton, Canada, were not enough, as Oakland closed the game at the free-throw line.

Oakland, which entered the game as a 5.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, covered the spread. The combined score of 182 points surpassed the over/under line of 169.5. National statistical models had given Oakland a 79.5% probability to win.

The Golden Grizzlies will look to build on the win when they travel to face Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday. Detroit will host Northern Kentucky next Friday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Rochester, Michigan, on Feb. 28.