Oakland beats Milwaukee 81-70 as Robinson and Naivalurua fuel turnover-driven second-half separation
Oakland snaps skid while Milwaukee absorbs another road setback
Oakland defeated Milwaukee 81-70 on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, at the OU Credit Union O’rena in Rochester, Michigan, ending a four-game losing streak and strengthening its position in the Horizon League race. The Golden Grizzlies led 41-34 at halftime and matched that pace after the break, outscoring Milwaukee 40-36 in the second half.
The result moved Oakland to 15-14 overall and 11-7 in league play, while Milwaukee fell to 11-19 overall and 7-12 in the Horizon League.
Robinson and Naivalurua drive offense; Milwaukee’s top scorer comes from the backcourt
Oakland’s production was concentrated at the top. Tuburu Naivalurua scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Brody Robinson added 20 points with nine assists, including four made three-pointers. Ziare Wells finished with 13 points, while Brett White II contributed defensively with three blocks and four steals.
For Milwaukee, Chandler Jackson scored 25 points. The Panthers also received a double-double from Sekou Konneh, and Esyah Pippa-White recorded 13 assists, reflecting Milwaukee’s ability to generate looks even as the game tilted away in the second half.
Turnovers and efficiency define the margin
The game’s separating factor was Oakland’s ability to turn Milwaukee’s mistakes into points. Oakland forced 15 turnovers and converted them into 18 points, a swing that helped offset Milwaukee’s advantage on the glass. Milwaukee won the rebounding battle 42-30, but that edge did not translate into enough additional possessions to overcome the turnover gap.
Oakland also shot more efficiently. Team numbers showed Oakland at 51.8% from the field and 50.0% from three-point range, compared with Milwaukee’s 42.2% overall shooting and 31.0% from beyond the arc. Milwaukee held an advantage at the free-throw line, making 77.8% to Oakland’s 65.0%.
How the game unfolded
The contest featured frequent momentum changes, with seven ties and 16 lead changes. Oakland established control late in the first half, limiting its own turnovers to one before the break, and carried a seven-point lead into halftime.
In the second half, Oakland built separation during a mid-period stretch that included a Robinson three-pointer and multiple interior finishes involving Naivalurua, allowing the Golden Grizzlies to maintain a working margin even as Milwaukee attempted to close the gap.
What’s next
Milwaukee returns home to face Youngstown State on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in its final home game of the regular season.
Oakland travels to IU Indy on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, for its final road game of the regular season before closing the schedule at home against Detroit Mercy on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.
The matchup illustrated a common late-season tradeoff: rebounding can keep a team competitive, but turnovers and shot-making often determine whether a close game becomes a finish or a gap.