AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (Interstat) — In a back-and-forth non-conference women’s basketball battle defined by defensive pressure and critical late-game execution, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies edged the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks 80 to 75 on Monday night at the Athletics Center O’Rena.

The contest, played before an intimate crowd of 418, saw both teams elevate to 2-1 on the young season, but it was the home-standing Golden Grizzlies who made the decisive plays in the final minute to secure the victory.

Oakland established an early command, fueled by a strong first quarter where they outscored Miami 22 to 13. The Golden Grizzlies maintained that advantage through a high-scoring second period, taking a 41 to 25 lead into the halftime break. The Redhawks, however, emerged from the locker room with renewed vigor, unleashing a 23-point third quarter to claw their way back into the game, narrowing the deficit and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

The fourth quarter became a tense affair as Miami’s comeback bid reached its zenith. With just 27 seconds remaining, Miami’ Tamar Singer, the 5-foot-4 guard from Haifa, Israel, drained a clutch 3-pointer to tie the game at 79, capping a remarkable rally from a 16-point halftime hole.

Oakland’s response was immediate. On the ensuing possession, Filippa Goula was fouled and sent to the free-throw line with six seconds on the clock. Goula missed the first attempt but calmly sank the second, putting the Golden Grizzlies ahead 80 to 79. Miami’s last-gasp attempt, a contested 3-point shot by Amber Tretter, was blocked by Oakland’s Lianna Baxter as time expired, sealing the win for the home team.

The game was a statistical paradox. Miami’s relentless defense forced Oakland into 19 turnovers, converting them into 17 points. The Redhawks also tallied 13 steals, led by Singer’s five, and dished out 13 assists compared to Oakland’s seven. However, Oakland’s dominance on the glass proved to be a pivotal factor. The Golden Grizzlies corralled 11 offensive rebounds, leading to 13 second-chance points and helping them overcome their ball-security issues.

Oakland was led by a stellar performance from Layla Gold. The 5-foot-11 sophomore from Indianapolis posted a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds, adding four assists in 34 minutes. Angie Smith, a 5-foot-8 guard from Bolingbrook, Illinois, provided crucial scoring support with 16 points. In the frontcourt, Lianna Baxter, a 6-foot-2 presence from Marinette, Wisconsin, was a force with 11 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, including the game-sealing rejection.

For Miami, Tamar Singer led the charge with 18 points and five assists in 37 minutes of action. Brooke Blumenfeld, a 6-foot forward from Northbrook, Illinois, provided an efficient offensive spark off the bench, scoring 14 points on perfect 4-for-4 shooting from the field and a 6-for-6 performance from the free-throw line. Amber Scalia added 13 points, while the interior duo of Amber Tretter and Ilse de Vries combined for 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Both teams now hold identical 2-1 records. Miami (Ohio) will look to rebound at home against Ind.-Southeast on Thursday. Oakland continues its homestand, preparing to host Harvard on Saturday in a game that will be played in Berkeley, California.