Rochester, MI (Sports Network) - Reggie Hamilton, the nation's leading scorer, delivered a game-high 39 points to lead Oakland to an 86-69 win over Bowling Green in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament in the Athletics Center O'rena.
Hamilton, who entered the contest scoring 25.7 ppg, converted 10-of-16 shots from the floor, including 5-of-6 behind the three-point line, for the Golden Grizzlies (18-15) as they finished the outing 12-of-24 beyond the arc collectively. Also scoring in double figures for the program was Travis Bader with 21 points, while Corey Petros responded with 11 rebounds off the bench in the win.
The Falcons (16-16) were paced by Jordon Crawford who led four starters in double figures with 21 points, followed by A'uston Calhoun with 15 points and a team-best seven rebounds in the setback. Scott Thomas chipped in 11 points, six boards and six assists and Dee Brown 10 points.
BGSU led by as many as four points less than three minutes into the meeting, but the team shot just 1-of-8 behind the three-point line in the first half, allowing Oakland to take a 36-31 advantage into the break.
The second half saw the Falcons again struggle from long range (2-of-12), compared to the Grizzlies who knocked down 7-of-12 from behind the three-point line in the period in order to cruise to the 17-point home win.
Oakland not only shot 50.0 percent beyond the arc in the meeting, the team also converted 18-of-21 at the free-throw line and won the rebounding battle, 39-28.
With the victory Oakland advances to the second round of the fourth annual tournament and will host Toledo on Saturday afternoon.
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