By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---The No. 8 Express women played stifling defense against Oakland Community College to pull out a 63-29 win in the finale of the Owens Tip Off Classic.

The Express didn't allow more than 15 points in either half as they forced Oakland to shoot 11-for-62 (17.7 percent) overall and 2-for-18 (11.1 percent) from three point range.

In the second half, Oakland's Courtney Murphy hit a jumper with 18:04 remaining to pull Oakland within 33-17, but the Express went on a 21-0 run as Oakland didn't score again until the 6:53 mark.

Murphy, who had 32 points the night before against Grand Rapids CC, was held to four points on 2-for-11 shooting.

Uniqua Mitchell led the Express with 12 points, while adding 11 rebounds, three steals and two assists, while Nandi Taylor added 11 points, six assists, three rebounds and three steals.

Taylor has 20 assists through the team's first three games.

Karahn Scott, who was named the Classic's MVP, contribued 10 points and nine rebounds on 5-for-10 shooting in 21 minutes. She had 21 points and 17 rebounds in the two games of the Classic.

Breonna House added nine points and three steals in 17 minutes off the bench. Jordayn Bond contributed in multiple areas as she finished with four points, nine rebounds, three steals, two blocks and one assist in 17 minutes. Meshia Smith added four blocks.

Michelina DeMoss led Oakland with six points, while Tatyhana Pauling had nine rebounds.

Aside from Scott, the All-Owens Tip Off Classic team consisted of Mitchell, Taylor, Murphy, April Douglas of Wayne County CC and Danielle Goad of Grand Rapids CC.

The Express (3-0) will now have 11 days off before returning to action on Nov. 23-24 in the Turkey Shootout in Kalamazoo, MI. On Nov. 23, the Express will take on Macomb Community College at 3 p.m. before taking on Kalamazoo Valley CC at 1 p.m. on the 24th.