Hood's Buzzer-Beater Lifts Mighty Oaks Past Grenadiers
OAKLAND CITY, Ind. — D'Mare Hood delivered the defining moment of the night, knocking down a buzzer-beating shot to lift Oakland City University to a thrilling 65–63 victory over IU Southeast on Saturday evening.
With the game tied in the closing seconds, Oakland City put the ball in Hood's hands. The senior guard calmly rose up as time expired and buried the game-winner, sending the Mighty Oaks bench spilling onto the floor in celebration.
Oakland City trailed early but settled in as the game progressed, falling to a 22–28 deficit at halftime with balanced scoring and strong defensive pressure. The Grenadiers extended their advantage in the second half, building momentum with timely baskets and key stops, but the Mighty Oaks refused to go away.
The Mighty Oaks surged late, erasing a second-half deficit and tying the game in the final moments to set the stage for Hood's heroics.
Hood finished as one of Oakland City's key contributors, providing leadership down the stretch and delivering when it mattered most. The Mighty Oaks leaned on a team effort offensively, while their defense forced tough shots throughout the night.
IU Southeast was led by a strong all-around performance and remained within striking distance the entire game, ultimately falling just short despite a late rally.
The win improves Oakland City's confidence heading into its next stretch of conference play, while IU Southeast will look to bounce back after a hard-fought road loss decided in the final second.
For the Mighty Oaks, the night belonged to Hood — and a buzzer-beater that won't soon be forgotten.
