Walker scores 21, Oakland improves to 2-0 in Horizon League

Jan 1, 2018, 04:55 pm

ROCHESTER, Mich. -- Martez Walker scored 21 points, Jalen Hayes had 18 points and eight rebounds, and Oakland beat Northern Kentucky 76-65 on Saturday.

It was tied at 35 at halftime and Hayes made a basket at the 14:44 mark to give Oakland the first double-digit lead of the game for either team at 50-40. The Golden Grizzlies lead didn't drop below five points the rest of the way and their advantage hit 14 with 40 seconds left.

Xavier Hill-Mais scored 10 of his 13 points in the first half for Oakland (12-3, 2-0 Horizon League).

The Golden Grizzlies were just 27 of 67 from the floor (40.3 percent), including 6 of 23 (26 percent) from distance.

Carson Williams and Lavone Holland II scored 14 points apiece for Northern Kentucky (10-5, 1-1). Mason Faulkner had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Norse, who got to practice in the Detroit Pistons facility on Friday.