Upset? Not tonight...

Auburn overcomes OU to save face, 71-63

By Samantha Franz & Rob Tate
Sports Editor & Assistant Sports Editor

Oakland University's women's basketball team (2-1) came oh-so-close to sending No. 24 ranked Auburn (4-0) to the Thanksgiving table the following morning with a loss hanging over their heads last Wednesday, but couldn't overcome a second-half hump as they fell to the Tigers 71-63 at the O'Rena.

Oakland had a 58-55 point lead with 4:43 remaining in the game, but Tiger Tamela McCorvey nailed a 3-pointer with 3:45 remaining and the Golden Grizzlies just couldn't recover.

The young Golden Grizzlies played well against Auburn and their star guard DeWanna Bonner, who is second in the Southeastern Conference in both scoring and rebounding and finished the night with a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. OU sophomore Meslissa Jeltema, in only her fourth career start, tallied a double-double of her own, with career highs in points and rebounds with 21 points and 11 boards.

“To have a lead and to play that well and not come out with the victory is very frustrating,” head coach Beckie Francis said. “I was very, very proud of our young ladies.”