AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (Interstat) — Makenzie Luehring scored 24 points and Angie Smith added 16 as the Oakland Golden Grizzlies held off a late rally to defeat the IU Indy Jaguars 64-61 in a Horizon League women’s basketball game Wednesday night at the Athletics Center O’rena.

In a contest defined by defense and missed opportunities at the free-throw line, Oakland used a decisive 25-point fourth quarter to erase a slim deficit and survive a frantic final sequence. The victory moved both teams to an identical 8-12 overall record.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final minute. Trailing 59-57, IU Indy’ Olivia Smith was fouled on a three-point attempt with 17 seconds remaining. She made the first two free throws to tie the game but missed the third, setting the stage for Oakland’s final possession.

On the ensuing inbounds play, Oakland’s Luehring was fouled with 16 seconds left. The junior guard from Jackson, Wisconsin, calmly sank both free throws to put the Golden Grizzlies ahead 61-59. IU Indy, without a timeout, rushed downcourt, and Nevaeh Foster connected on a deep three-pointer with eight seconds remaining, giving the Jaguars a stunning 62-61 lead.

Oakland immediately called timeout to advance the ball. On the inbound, Luehring was fouled again, this time with four seconds on the clock. She again made both free throws, restoring Oakland’s lead at 63-62. A foul on the next inbounds play sent Luehring back to the line with four seconds left, where she split the pair for the final margin of 64-62. A desperation heave from IU Indy at the buzzer missed.

The game was a defensive struggle throughout, with both teams shooting under 40% from the field. Oakland finished at 44.7%, while IU Indy managed just 37.3%. The Golden Grizzlies capitalized at the free-throw line, attempting 30 shots and making 18, compared to IU Indy’s 18 attempts and 11 makes. Oakland also won the possession battle, committing only 12 turnovers to IU Indy’s 18 and scoring eight points off those takeaways.

Luehring’s performance was pivotal, adding three assists in 33 minutes. Smith contributed three assists and a block for Oakland. The Golden Grizzlies’ ball movement was limited, recording only three total assists as a team, but their defense forced the Jaguars into a disjointed offensive night despite IU Indy tallying seven steals and four blocks.

IU Indy was led by Ariana Williams, who scored 12 points with two blocks in just 15 minutes off the bench. Destini Craig added 10 points, and Hailey Smith scored nine. The Jaguars’ offense, which produced seven assists, saw moments of rhythm but was ultimately undone by poor shooting from beyond the arc, hitting just 6 of 24 three-point attempts.

The game was tight through the first three quarters, featuring eight ties and 10 lead changes. IU Indy led 29-26 at halftime and maintained a narrow 41-39 advantage heading into the final period. Oakland’s 25-point fourth-quarter outburst, spearheaded by Luehring and Smith, proved just enough to secure the win.

A crowd of 821 watched as Oakland improved its home record and gained a measure of momentum heading into a Saturday matchup against Youngstown State. IU Indy, which had won two of its last three games, will look to regroup when it hosts Robert Morris on Sunday.

The game’s statistical profile highlighted the defensive intensity. Oakland posted an offensive rating of 102.8 points per 100 possessions, while IU Indy’s offensive rating was 93.1. Both teams were nearly even in points in the paint, with Oakland holding a 34-32 edge, and on the offensive glass, where Oakland grabbed 11 rebounds to IU Indy’s 10.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Oakland entered the game with a 64.5% probability of winning.